1. Funding
  2. Prizes

Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards

Celebrating excellence in performing arts

Overview

In the two decades since their inception, the GGPAA have grown in stature and developed into preeminent national awards. They celebrate the talent of our artists and the richness of our culture, underline Canada’s important role as an Arts Nation, and foster a sense of national unity and pride.

What is this prize? 

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) are Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts. They recognize a stellar array of artists and arts volunteers for their outstanding contribution to culture in Canada and abroad. 

Each year, Lifetime Artistic Achievement Awards are presented to artists from Canada in a variety of disciplines: theatre, dance, classical music, popular music, and film and broadcasting. 


Prize amount 

Lifetime Artistic Achievement Awards are presented to up to six winners, who each receive a $25,000 cash prize distributed by the Canada Council for the Arts. 


How to qualify 

Nominations for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards are made by members of the general public.


Deadline 

For someone to be considered for the 2024 Awards, a nomination must be submitted by December 9, 2022. 

See the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation website


Who created the prize? 

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards were created in 1992 under the patronage of the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, then Governor General of Canada, and with the encouragement of Peter Herrndorf and Brian Robertson, two members of the Toronto Arts Foundation. The Awards were established with a start-up grant provided by the federal government as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Confederation of Canada. 

Annual

Prize amount

$25,000

By nomination

Cumulative list of winners

Accessibility

For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or TTY users, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact us.

The Canada Council also welcomes VRS (Video Relay Service) calls. For more information, please visit the VRS Canada website.