The Judith Ryan Fibre Arts Award
Call for Submissions
Deadline: February 11, 2027
The Judith Ryan Award for Fibre Arts is awarded bi-annually to an emerging or mid-career fibre artist who is active in the community and whose body of work demonstrates a clear artistic vision and technical proficiency. The award is given in honour of the late Judith Ryan by her husband John Ryan.
For many years, this award was given to recognize the “Best in Show” at MCC’s annual juried exhibition. Since 2025, the award celebrates early career artistic achievement in fibre.
About Judith Ryan
Judith Ryan was a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist who received national and international recognition for her artwork batik, ceramics, and tiles. She was also accomplished in sculpture, water colour painting, copper plate etching, stained glass, fashion design, and photography. She drew on her rich cultural heritage (Indonesian, Dutch, English, French, Jewish, and Japanese) and personal history to create a unique body of artwork. The award was created in 1999 through a permanent endowment fund with The Winnipeg Foundation.
The Award (given bi-annually) includes:
- Recognition at an awards celebration
- Monetary prize of approx $500 (based on endowment dividend)
Eligibility:
- Emerging or mid-career fibre artist from Manitoba (or Northwestern Ontario). An emerging or mid-career artist is defined as someone who has been practising fibre arts for approximately 3-15 years, has made a serious commitment to their art, and has publicly shown their work.
- Current MCC member (artist must be living).
- Applicant’s practice meets MCC’s definition of craft.
How to Apply:
Direct Applications (you are applying for yourself) and Peer Nominations (your are nominating someone else) will be accepted online using the form here: https://forms.gle/FuGF6q69upY6GGPH9
Please have all your documents ready to submit before starting the process. You will not be able to edit your application/nomination after it is submitted or save what you have started and return to it later.
Applicants/Nominators will be asked to upload the following:
- One Word or PDF file containing:a.A statement about the applicant/nominee highlighting:
-early achievements in fibre arts which may include exhibitions, teaching, sales, residencies, public presentations, community projects, etc.
-contributions to the craft community
-professional plans for the future
(1 page max)b. Professional artist/craftsperson CV (3 page max)c. A list of images, with applicant/nominee’s name, image number, title, size (L x W x H), year made, and materials used.d. One letter of support from an established artist, curator, or arts professional outlining the applicant/nominee’s suitability for this award. Letter of support may not be submitted by a spouse or significant other, child, parent, or sibling. (2 pages max)
- Up to 5 images of the applicant/nominee’s work
IMPORTANT – Please name files as follows:
For Word or PDF file: first name, last name, image # (eg. JaneSmith)
For images: first name, last name, image # (eg. JaneSmith03)
Assessment
A selection committee composed of experienced craftspeople and curators with expertise in a range of craft media will be invited to review all applications/nominations and select award recipients. The committee will consider factors including:
- quality of the work in terms of aesthetics, creativity, innovation
- technical competency
- community impact in terms of volunteering or service beyond their own practice
- commitment to their ongoing artistic development
Questions:
Please contact Tammy Sutherland with any questions at tsutherland@c2centreforcraft.ca or (204) 615–3951.
