MCC Awards
The Manitoba Craft Council is pleased to announce a new consolidated awards programme and dinner celebrating excellence in contemporary craft. Beginning in 2025, MCC is gathering all of our awards under one banner.
The next deadline to apply for bursary or retreat awards will be in February 2026. The next deadline for all other awards will be in February 2027.
All awards will be given out at a bi-annual awards celebration beginning with an inaugural dinner on May 8, 2025. Purchase tickets here.
The Robert and Meridel Archambeau Award of Distinction
The Robert and Meridel Archambeau Award of Distinction celebrates a Manitoba based craftsperson who has demonstrated an outstanding dedication to studio-based professional practice in their medium. This award recognizes the recipient’s career of achievements, esteemed reputation, and exceptional advancement in their craft area. This award was created through the generosity of Meridel Archambeau whose gifts enabled the establishment of an endowment fund held at the Winnipeg Foundation that will support this award for generations to come. This award is being given out 2025 for the first time.
2025 – Grace Nickel
The Crafts Guild of Manitoba Bursary
The Crafts Guild of Manitoba Bursary was created to encourage the artistic development of Manitoba craft artists across the spectrum of craft media. Projects are targeted towards professional development activities that may include taking a course or workshop, upgrading or expanding technical and design skills, attending an online conference, working with a mentor, and/or assisting in other areas of personal craft study.
2025
ash alberg – In support of the artist’s online attendance at the Seeds to Dye class from Awonoyoh Studio in Japan.
Matt Jenkins – In support of the artist’s attendance at the European Biennial Show of Blacksmithing Art in Stia, Italy.
2024
Charlotte Sigurdson – In support of the artist’s attendance at the Royal School of Needlework, International Summer School in London.
Kelli Rey – In support of the artist’s training on laser technology at the North Forge Fabrication Lab.
Nichol Marsch – In support of the artist’s attendance in silversmithing workshops at Poco Inspired Bead Store.
2023
Desa Kalem – In support of the artist’s attendance in a coptic bookbinding workshop with Debra Frances.
Ann Sokal – In support of the artist’s attendance in a hard enamelling workshop with Karen Schmidt Humiski.
Cathie Ugrin – In support of the artist’s attendance in a wearables sewing instruction workshop with Karen Kerr.
Maureen Winnicki Lyons – In support of the artist’s attendance in an ink making workshop at MAIWA.
2022
Ken Gregory – In support of the artist’s study in personal workshops at Cloverdale Forge.
Toluwalope Toludare – In support of the artist’s research and knowledge sharing with Alan Lacovetsky, David McMillan, and Mike Astill.
Jen Sonnenberg – In support of the artist’s participation in Clay Cohorts with Simon Levin.
Daniel Bell – In support of the artist’s attendance in jewellery workshops with Christopher Redd.
Yasmin Lerner Sivan – In support of the artist’s study of silversmithing with Krista Reid.
Rachael Kroeker – In support of the artist’s study of image transfer, stencilling, and over-glazing at the Frank Arts Centre.
Michino Phillips – In support of the artist’s study of Katazome, Dorozome, Kakishibuzome and Indigo dyeing.
2021
Jessica Hodgson – In support of the artist’s study of Natural Materials in Clay with David McMillan.
Lourdes Still – In support of the artist’s online attendance at the Maiwa Natural Dye Workshop.
Anastasia Pindera – In support of the artist’s training on Production Equipment at North Forge.
Leandra Brandson – In support of the artist’s online attendance to the Ceramic Glazes workshop with Matt Katz.
Melanie Barnett – In support of the artist’s online attendance to the Ceramic Clay Bodies workshop with Matt Katz.
Suzie Smith – In support of the artist’s online workshop attendance at the Textile Art Centre.
2019-20
Julianna Zwiecadlowska-Rhymer – In support of the artist’s attendance at the NCECA Ceramic Conference
Francesca Carella Arfinengo – In support of the artist’s attendance at World of Dyes Class: MAIWA School of Textiles.
2018
Cathie Ugrin – In support of the artist’s attendance at the Quilt Canada Conference and class with fibre artist Amanda McCavour.
2017
Debra Frances – In support of the artist’s attendance at BIBLIO TECH: Reverse Engineering Historical and Modern Structures.
2016
Dawn Teasdale- In support of the artist’s participation in a wax carving course at the Creative Side School of Jewelry Arts.
Rosemarie Péloquin – In support of the artist’s attendance at the SDA Making Our Art Conference.
Kami Goertz – In support of the artist’s attendance a t the Picto-Plasma Character Design Masterclass.
Claire Sparling – In support of the artist’s participation in a week-long apprenticeship with mast weaver Rob Stone.
Ken Gregory – In support of the artist’s participation in the Artist Blacksmith Program at Fleming College.
2015
Kelli Rey – In support of the artist’s study at Red Deer College’s Summer Series Arts School workshop Remaking the Remarkable.
2014
Sonja Rosenberg – In support of the artist’s attendance at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
Rachael Kroeker – In support of the artist’s attendance at the Gardiner Museum’s emerging artist showcase, 30 Under 30.
2013
Tricia Wasney – In support of the artist’s participation in a week-long instruction period at the Jewelry Arts Institute in New York.
Peter Tittenberger – In support of the artist’s attendance at the NCECA Ceramic Conference
Jennifer Smith – In support of the artist’s participation in the Craft Invested: 10,000 Hours Symposium in Vancouver, BC.
Sonja Rosenberg – In support of the artist’s participation in the SNAG conference From Grains to Gold.
2012
Jessica Hodgson – In support of the artist’s attendance at the NCECA Ceramic Conference
Helga Schulte-Schroeer – In support of the artist’s attendance at From Lausanne to Beijing International Fibre Biennale.
Tibor Bodi – In support of the artist’s CAD/CAM training for 3-D printing at AssentWorks.
2011
Aliza Amihude & Teresa Burrows – In support of the artists’ co-mentorship in jewellery-beading.
PJ Anderson – In support of the artist’s research in African-Zulu ceramics, University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
Jessica Hodgson – In support of the artist’s attendance at the NCECA Ceramic Conference
Kelli Rey – In support of the artist’s ceramics research at the Institute for Design and the Arts in Pheonix, AZ.
Kelly Ruth – In support of the artist’s work teaching and studying in textiles at John C Campbell Folk School.
Judith Ryan Award for Fibre Arts
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. Beginning in 2025, the award will celebrate early artistic achievement in fibre.
2025 – Maureen Winnikci Lyons
2022 – Sandra Vincent
2020 – Lens Reflex – In support of work by 8 artist exhibited in Lens Reflex: Sarah Crawley, Janine-Annette Littman, Nichol Marsch, Lesley Nakonechny, Grace Nickel & Michael Zajac, Willow Rector, Sandra Vincent, Tricia Wasney
2016-17 – Grace Nickel
2014 – Elizabeth Roy
2013 – Peter Tittenberger
2012 – Willow Rector
2011 – Teresa Burrows
2010 – Teresa Burrows
2009 – Teresa Burrows
Marilyn Wolodarsky Levitt Award for Functional Ceramics
The Marilyn Wolodarsky Levitt Award for Functional Ceramics recognizes an emerging or mid-career functional ceramic 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 Marilyn Wolodarsky Levitt, a Manitoba ceramic artist and educator. This Award has shifted over the years from recognizing the best ceramic work in MCC’s annual juried show to being a stand alone prize for emerging to mid-career artists. A nominator is no longer required for this prize and interested artists can apply directly.
2025 – Jennifer Johnson
2022 – Rachael Kroeker
2020 – Terry Hildebrand
2018 – Teegan Walker
2016 – Heather Lepp
2015 – Jessica Hodgson
2014 – Kristin Murray
2013 – Peter Tittenberger
2012 – Melanie Riggs
2011 – Crystal Nykoluk
2010 – Crystal Nykoluk
2009 – Kelli Rey
The Manitoba Craft Council Retreat
The Manitoba Craft Council Retreat was created to encourage the artistic development of Manitoba craft artists across the spectrum of craft media. The successful applicants will have access to a well-appointed cottage at Victoria Beach, MB during the dates above for the purpose of self-directed, craft-related learning, research and making, either alone or in a small group. The retreat was established by the Manitoba Craft Council in 2021 thanks to the generosity and vision of Ida Smith and John Lyttle. Retreats are offered twice annually.
2025
Maragret Firlotte
Zoë LeBrun, Lee Ladell, Shanelle St. Hilaire, Rae Swan
2024
Melanie Matheson
Tricia Wasney
2023
Jennifer Johnson
Kae Sasaki
2022
Kristin Nelson
Maureen Winnicki Lyons
2021
Root Cellar Collective – Karen Hare, Leanne Muir, Kristen Trafiak
Debra Frances
The Peter Tittenberger “On the Verge” Award (Coming in 2027!)
The Peter Tittenberger “On the Verge” Award is awarded bi-annually to an emerging craft artist working in any media who is active in the community and whose body of work demonstrates promise. The award is given in honour of the late Peter Tittenberger, as a lasting reminder of Peter’s legacy of creativity, community-building, and care.
More details to come.
External Awards
The Manitoba Craft Council also nominates its members for external awards. Successful nominations include:
2024 Jennine Krauchi, Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction (with MAWA and MCML)
2024 Jennine Krauchi, Winnipeg Arts Council’s Making a Difference Award (with MAWA and MCML)
2023 Grace Nickel, Saidye Bronfman/Governor General’s Award for Visual and Media Arts
2018 Keith Oliver, Winnipeg Arts Council’s Making a Difference Award
2014 Robert Archambeau, Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction
2013 Alison Norberg, Winnipeg Arts Council’s Outstanding Volunteer Award
