The Manitoba Arts Council is pleased to announce that Larry Desrochers is the winner of the 2026 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.
Beyond his impressive 25-year tenure as CEO & General Director of Manitoba Opera, Larry has also worked as a producer and administrator in theatre, festivals, film, and large-scale cultural events, often at the forefront of significant change in Canada’s arts and culture sector. Larry was the inaugural executive director of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, which has become the second largest of its kind in North America. He was a founding board member of Manitobans for the Arts, an organization that advocates for arts, culture, and heritage in Manitoba. Larry also produced and directed the 1999 Pan American Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the largest live–broadcast outdoor stadium event in Canadian history at the time.
His accolades include receiving the University of Winnipeg’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Winnipeg Arts Council’s Making a Difference Award, the Winnipeg Film Group’s Lifetime Honorary Membership, Opera America’s Distinguished Service Award, and the Opera Canada Ruby Award.
“Thank you to the Manitoba Arts Council for this honour. It is a privilege to be included among past recipients who have contributed so significantly to Manitoba’s cultural life. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work alongside many talented artists, staff, volunteers, crew, board members, and supporters, and I accept this award in recognition of collaborative spirit and bold creativity of Manitoba’s arts community.”
— Larry Desrochers
“Larry has shown, time and again, that the arts can bring people together, spark dialogue, celebrate heritage, and create empathy; and that leadership rooted in integrity and compassion can have a transformative effect far beyond any one organization.”
— Robert Vineberg, Larry‘s nominator
“Congratulations to Larry Desrochers, as this year’s recipient of the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction. Larry’s work in arts leadership has been integral in shaping the landscape of arts and culture in Manitoba, and his legacy will have a lasting impact on the people of Manitoba.”
— Nellie Kennedy, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism for Manitoba
“MAC is so pleased to honour Larry Desrochers with the 2026 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction. Over the course of his career, Larry has defined what it means to be an arts leader in its truest form. He has demonstrated innovation, responsibility, advocacy, and most importantly, a philosophy of putting Manitoba artists first.”
— Katarina Kupca, Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council
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 Ken Gregory (2025), Jennine Krauchi (2024), Di Brandt (2023), and Daina Warren (2022).
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 an annual $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.
