SAAG ARTS WRITING PRIZE 2026

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS CLOSES TUESDAY, APRIL 7

The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is excited to announce the 15th annual SAAG Arts Writing Prize. This prize aims to recognize and support emerging writers whose writing relates to the field of contemporary art. Art writing is essential to supporting a healthy art ecosystem, providing access points for contemporary art practice, engaging different voices in the field, and encouraging and developing discourse in the arts.

Writers can be considered for one or both of this year’s categories: 1) Arts Writing and 2) the Aruna D’Souza Award for BIPOC Writers. The requirements and prizes for each category are listed below. All entries are eligible to be included in the digital SAAG Arts Writing Prize Reader 2026, which will be shared on the Gallery’s website and sent out to all contributors via email.

This prize focuses on submissions of writing about contemporary art. This includes but is not limited to: exhibition reviews, critical essays, ekphrasis, etc. We will also consider experimental and innovative approaches to writing about contemporary art, including poetry, prose, creative fiction, etc.