Canada Council Art Bank Acquires Six Works of Art by Indigenous Artists
Honouring tradition and inspiring innovation with Indigenous beadwork
Ottawa, Ont. – The Canada Council Art Bank is proud to announce the acquisition of six new works of art by contemporary Indigenous artists, with a focus on innovative interpretations of beadwork. Made possible with a budget of $50,000, this purchase strengthens the representation of contemporary Indigenous art within the Art Bank collection and supports both emerging and established artists.
The decision to focus on beadwork was inspired by growing public interest in this vibrant art form and its resurgence within contemporary Indigenous practice. Recent exhibitions celebrating Indigenous beadwork have helped spotlight its rich history, cultural significance and ongoing evolution.
“The Art Bank plays a vital role in bringing contemporary Canadian art into public and professional spaces, making it more accessible to people across the country. With these new acquisitions, we are proud to amplify the voices of Indigenous artists while encouraging a deeper appreciation for their work.”
— Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts
Final selection
The final selection includes artists from five provinces across the country—Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Quebec. All the artists are new to the Art Bank collection, including emerging, mid-career and highly celebrated artists. Haley Bassett’s Prairie Love Song will be included in Resistant Fibres, the next exhibition in Âjagemô, the Canada Council’s exhibition space, opening this June.
“These acquisitions highlight the remarkable talent and breadth of contemporary Indigenous beadwork, from esteemed senior artists who have paved the way, to mid-career artists receiving national recognition and emerging voices bringing fresh perspectives to the practice. We are honoured to support these artists and ensure their work is widely seen and appreciated through the Art Bank collection.”
— Amy Jenkins, Head of the Art Bank
These new acquisitions, which are now available to clients of the Art Bank’s rental program, can be viewed online by visiting the Canada Council Art Bank website.
Selected artwork (in alphabetical order)
Prairie Love Song (2024) – Haley Bassett
Untitled (Burgundy Circle) (2024) – Christi Belcourt
Wasuegji’j II (2024) – Renée Condo
Métis Wall Pocket (2025) – Jennine Krauchi
Maskosis Gloves (2022) – Audie Murray
Playful Otter (2023) – Nico Williams
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. Through its grants, services, prizes, initiatives, and payments, the Canada Council supports a dynamic and diverse arts and literary scene. These activities generate a meaningful economic, cultural, and social impact for over 2,000 communities in all parts of the country and beyond. The investments and leadership of the Council help advance public engagement in the arts from coast to coast to coast while also contributing to the international recognition of artists and arts organizations from Canada.
About the Canada Council Art Bank
The Canada Council Art Bank is the largest collection of contemporary Canadian art, with more than 17,000 works of art by 3,000 artists from across the country, including a significant number by Indigenous artists. Through its art rental, exhibitions and outreach activities, the Art Bank creates engaging workplaces, public spaces and communities that contribute to the visibility and vibrancy of contemporary art.
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