Photo: James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry, 2021 First Nations Art Award Recipient
“We must continue to inspire the next generation of Indigenous people to pursue their dreams. Showcasing people who took risks and followed their passion will continue to inspire the future generations to do the same.”
James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry, 2021 First Nations Art Award Recipient
Highlighting the significance of First Nations art and its place in British Columbia, Polygon Homes Ltd. and the BC Achievement Foundation have renewed their collaboration to deliver the annual BC Achievement Polygon Award in First Nations Art (FNA) program for the next three years. The foundation salutes Polygon Homes for its generous donation with grateful thanks and is excited to embark on this shared endeavour to elevate excellence and inspire change in our province.
The FNA program will recognize artistic excellence while honouring First Nations traditions that permeate the artists’ work, and in doing so, create a platform for engagement, mentorship and storytelling. Since 2007, BC Achievement has celebrated the FNA recipients through year-long amplification of recipient stories using its online film library, digital campaigns (since 2020), and recipient art exhibitions and presentation ceremonies at The Roundhouse (since 2017). A culture of celebration and storytelling has been developed through the lenses of program recipients and alumni. The BC Achievement and Polygon Homes collaboration aims to provide an authentic space where recipients and their communities are honoured and celebrated with a goal to elevate excellence and inspire change.
In addition, the FNA program is connected to the BC Reconciliation Award program which is presented by BC Achievement in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of BC. Each year, the FNA emerging artist is commissioned by BC Achievement to design a paddle, emblematic of their understanding of reconciliation. The original paddle is housed at Government House and framed photographs are presented to the recipients of the BC Reconciliation Award program.
Current award celebrations include an art exhibition which will culminate in a Presentation Ceremony Dinner honouring the recipients of the 2023 Polygon Award in First Nation Art on November 16, 2023 at The Roundhouse, Vancouver. The dinner celebration will include the premiering of films showcasing each of the 2023 awardees’ accomplishments. More details including ticket purchasing options will be available in the early fall. In 2022, the foundation’s two art programs (FNA and Applied Art + Design) combined in a successful joint exhibition – open to the public, and we are pleased to announce that this practice will be repeated for 2023.
The 2023 Polygon Award in First Nations Art marks the 17th annual offering of the program which stands on the excellence of the 95 recipients who have received this important recognition and the philanthropic community which supports BC Achievement’s programming. For more information visit bcachievement.com
“I’m honoured to be recognized for the Award of Distinction. I feel it acknowledges and encourages the positive direction in the progression of the art here in the north. It is important to recognize excellence to set standards and inspire the next generation.”
Stan Bevan, 2021 Award of Distinction, First Nations Art Award
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.