On August 12, 2025, the BC Achievement Foundation announced the recipients of the 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art. Presented annually, this award honours excellence in traditional, contemporary, and media art by Indigenous artists in British Columbia, celebrating their creativity, cultural knowledge, and contributions to community.
“The 2025 Polygon Award in First Nations Art recognizes artists whose work reflects deep cultural roots and a powerful creative voice. This year’s recipients carry forward tradition while shaping new ways of seeing, reminding us of the strength, courage, and vitality of First Nations art today,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. Now in its 19th year, the Polygon Award in First Nations Art recognizes BC-based Indigenous artists for excellence in their discipline, as well as their mentorship, storytelling, and cultural stewardship.
The 2025 recipients are selected by an independent jury of past awardees and First Nations artists recognized for their artistic accomplishments:
Advisors to the jury are Connie Watts (Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan, Kwakwaka’wakw) and Brenda Crabtree, OBC (Spuzzum Band, Nlaka’pamux, Sto:lo).
The celebration took place on November 19 at The Roundhouse in Vancouver.
Highlights:
From November 18–25, a combined exhibition showcasing the 2025 recipients of the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design and the Polygon Award in First Nations Art was presented at The Roundhouse.
Click on the image to learn more about the award recipient’s contributions.
