The Manitoba Arts Council is pleased to announce that Ken Gregory is the winner of the 2025 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.
Ken is a sound and media artist based in Winnipeg. For over 30 years, Ken has been a trailblazer in the arts sector, building an impressive body of performance and installation work in sound, video, computer programming, hardware hacking, interactive electronics and robotics. Truly an artist ahead of his time, he was integral to the success of countless organizations like Video Pool Media Arts Centre and send + receive: A Festival of Sound.
Among his many accomplishments, Ken’s work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally, including his installation of “12 Motor Bells” which was acquired by the National Gallery of Canada. His practice has taken him across the world, participating in prestigious residencies and exhibitions from Finland, to Australia, to Berlin.
“Gregory is an ‘artist’s artist,’ who is held in the highest esteem by his peers,” says Daniel Barrow, one of Ken’s nominators. “His practice often involves a form of creative problem-solving, transforming discarded and abandoned material into inspired artworks. He is always quick to share his techniques and offer creative solutions to other artists. This openness and willingness to experiment is fundamental to his practice, it is combined with a rigorous analysis and critique – a rare combination that has infiltrated the Canadian art scene in incalculable ways due to Gregory’s kindness and determined protocol for generosity.”
“Congratulations to Ken Gregory, as this year’s recipient of the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction,” said Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Nellie Kennedy. “Ken is an artist of the highest calibre and the impact of his work in sound and media art is immeasurable, not just in Manitoba, but across the country.”
“MAC is so pleased to honour Ken Gregory with the 2025 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction,” says Katarina Kupca, Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council. “Ken’s art practice has always been a unique and thoughtful exploration. His approach to using technology is as much about the natural world and engaging with audiences as it is about wires and hardware.”
The nominations for this award were 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 Jennine Krauchi (2024), Di Brandt (2023), Daina Warren (2022), and Alan Greyeyes (2020).
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.
