The Manitoba Arts Council is pleased to announce that Jennine Krauchi is the winner of the 2024 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction. This $30,000 prize is awarded annually to a professional artist or arts/cultural professional in recognition of the highest level of artistic excellence and contribution to the development of the arts in Manitoba.
Jennine Krauchi is a Métis beadwork artist based in Winnipeg. She began beading 40 years ago, taught by her mother Jenny Meyer. Since then, she has worked to continue this traditional medium. Among her many accomplishments, Jennine has taught hundreds of workshops including at the St. Boniface Museum, the Manitoba Museum, and Festival du Voyageur; she has created beaded gifts and regalia for the Manitoba Metis Federation and Ka Ni Kanichihk; her designs have appeared on two coins for the Canadian Mint in 2022 and 2023; and her work has been shown both nationally and internationally, including at WAG-Qaumajug, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the National Gallery of Canada.
Her accolades include receiving the Métis National Council’s Order of the Sash in 2019 and the Indspire Award for Culture, Heritage, and Spirituality in 2023. Jennine was inducted into Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Circle of Honour at the annual Keep the Fires Burning ceremony in 2023.
Jennine was nominated by three organizations: the Manitoba Craft Council (MCC), the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library, and Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art.
“Jennine’s work in Métis beading has become a catalyst – here in Manitoba but also nationally and internationally – in the recognition and revitalization of this form in the 21st century,” says Alison Gillmor, MCC Board Member, on behalf of the three nominating organizations. “As an artist, teacher, mentor, and advocate, she has championed the shared inheritance of Métis beadwork, helping to connect its rich past to contemporary concerns and concepts.”
“Our government is proud to invest in the arts in our recent budget, which help enrich the cultural and creative fabric of our province. I want to congratulate Jennine Krauchi as this year’s recipient of the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction,” said Glen Simard, Manitoba’s Minister for Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism. “Jennine is deserving of this award for her impressive career as a beadwork artist, and also as a mentor and knowledge carrier working to revitalize this important artistic medium for future generations of Indigenous artists. On behalf of our government, I want to congratulate Jennine, but also all of the artists who are making our province better.”
“MAC is very proud to honour Jennine Krauchi with the 2024 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction,” says Roberta Christianson, Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council. “Jennine is an artist of the highest calibre and the impact of her work in continuing the incredible legacy of Métis beadwork is immeasurable. All Manitobans should be proud to celebrate and recognize Jennine’s many accomplishments.”
The nominations for this award are reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel of peers who make their decision based on the artistic excellence of the candidate’s work and their contribution to the development of the arts in Manitoba. Previous Award of Distinction recipients include Di Brandt (2023), Daina Warren (2022), Alan Greyeyes (2020), and Shawna Dempsey & Lorri Millan (2018).
About the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction
The Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction recognizes the the outstanding accomplishments of a Manitoban artist, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, or arts/cultural professional through a $30,000 prize.
The nominations for this award are made by the community and reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel of peers who make their decision based on the excellence of the candidate’s work and their contribution to Manitoba’s arts and culture sector.
The deadline to submit a nomination for the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction is December 15. Learn more on how to submit a nomination on the Recognize – Prizes page.
