EDMONTON ARTS PRIZES 2022

Twelve Edmonton artists are being recognized for their exceptional work in music, visual art, film and literature with the release of the City of Edmonton Prizes shortlist:

City of Edmonton Music Prize:
Cikwes, Cristian de la Luna, and King of Foxes

The value of the Edmonton Arts Prizes has been increased; each of the 12 artists will receive a prize, with $15,000 going to the primary recipient in each category, and two secondary prizes of $5000 being awarded to the runners up at the awards event in May.

The Edmonton Arts Prizes celebrate artists from a wide range of art forms and practices, recognizing their work, and investing in their continued experimentation and creation. The prize program is coordinated by the Edmonton Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Edmonton, Alberta Media Production Industries Association, Alberta Music, Audrey’s Books, CARFAC Alberta, Edmonton Community Foundation and Writers’ Guild of Alberta.

“We’re proud to celebrate our city’s creative talent with the Edmonton Art Prizes. The EAC has increased the monetary value of the prizes to recognize the outstanding artistic accomplishments of all the nominated artists to demonstrate collective responsibility and civic pride in our arts community,” said Sanjay Shahani, Executive Director of the Edmonton Arts Council. “Thank you to our prize partners, peer juries and nominators for their work on behalf of Edmonton artists, and congratulations to the nominated artists.”

The recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony on May 3 during which the overall winner of each prize will be announced. All are welcome to attend the awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 3 at 7 pm at the Westbury Theatre, Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, Gateway Blvd. To RSVP, email rsvp@edmontons.ca.

More information on the Edmonton Arts Prizes can be found at: edmontonarts.ca.

Shortlisted musicians for the City of Edmonton Music Prize

kâkîsimo ᑳᑮᓯᒧᐤ by Cikwes 

Cikwes, Connie LeGrande is a nehiyaw ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ soul singer and songwriter from Bigstone Cree Nation. She currently resides in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan, also known as Edmonton, Alberta. Her most recent release kâkîsimo ᑳᑮᓯᒧᐤ  is a full length nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) album that embodies seven nehiyaw spirituals dedicated to kihtehayahk ᑭᐦᑌᐦᐊᔭᐦ (Elders). kâkîsimo was nominated for the 2023 Juno Awards for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. In 2019, her debut album ISKO was nominated for the Indigenous Music Awards for the Best Folk Album of the Year. Cikwes recently graduated from York University with her Masters in Music in Fall 2022. Her music explores her Cree language, nêhiyawêwin ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ and nehiyaw ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ musical methods that include chanting cahkasinahikanakᒐᐦᑲᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ also known as spirit markers or syllabics. Her intimate performances are accompanied by stories, laughter and meaning to her songs. Using only her breath and the Cree syllabics she invokes a feeling of comfort similar to that of a wepisowin, a traditional baby swing.

¿Qué pasará? – What will happen? by Cristian de la Luna 

Cristian de la Luna’s pop-Latin-folk music is both contagious and inviting. Cristian de la Luna has two albums to his credit, both in Spanish and in French. His sophomore album ¿Qué pasará? – What will happen? goes from love to utopia, passing through unforgettable childhood memories. A versatile artist that combines the simplicity of folk storytelling, Caribbean percussion and the jazzy warmth of brass instruments. Deeply rooted in his Colombian roots, he explores the four corners of his heart through the depth of emotions to the playful naivety of our childhood. His performances are endearing and captivating.

Cristian de la Luna was Born in the Colombia of Garcia Marquez. At a very young age, Cristian played the trumpet and percussions in his school marching band. It was here that he found his undying passion for music. Exiled at the age of 17, it was his nostalgia for his homeland that inspired him to compose his first songs and to take the stage. This whole story has transformed Cristian into an ambassador for cultural diversity and human rights.

Twilight of the Empire by King of Foxes 

Fronted by singer-songwriter Olivia Street, King of Foxes has released three critically acclaimed albums. Her 2022 release, Twilight of the Empire, was recorded over the course of the pandemic and represents a clear evolution in Street’s incisive creativity. She’s an indie alternative artist whose undeniably catchy tunes earned her a Rock Artist of the Year nomination at the 2022 WCMAs, and a nod from Cups ‘n Cakes: “King of Foxes is the real deal.” Twilight of the Empire quickly rose to #1 on the CKUA chart. Only Here on Loan was nominated for an AMPIA for Best Music Video and an official selection at the Edmonton Short Film Festival. Her music has also found its way onto some prestigious “best of” lists, including as #11 on CKUA’s Top 100 Albums of 2022, and among NPR radio’s George Graham’s Best of 2022 Albums list. Notable performances include JUNOfest 2023, opening for Barenaked Ladies, Sam Roberts Band, and 54-40, and a tour of Japan in 2022.