The Governor General’s Awards in Arts are presented yearly. Administration and selection of the recipients are under the responsibility of independent organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation. Please visit their respective website in order to review eligibility criteria, the nomination processes and list of previous recipients.

Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts

The Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts (opens in new window) are Canada’s foremost distinctions for excellence in visual and media arts. These awards were created in 1999 through a partnership of the Canada Council for the Arts and then Governor General, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc (1927-2009), who committed Government House, in perpetuity, to host the gala ceremony at Rideau Hall in honour of the laureates. These awards are administered by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Governor General’s Literary Awards

The Governor General’s Literary Awards (opens in new window) are given annually to the best English-language and French-language books in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People's Literature (Text), Young People's Literature (Illustrated Books), and Translation (from French to English, and from English to French). These awards are administered by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards

The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards (opens in new window) are Canada's foremost distinction for excellence in the performing arts. The awards recognize a stellar array of artists and arts volunteers for their outstanding lifetime contributions to Canada's cultural life. The awards were created in 1992, under the patronage of then Governor General the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn (1934-2002). These awards are administered by the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation.