NSCAD Student Art Award
Celebrating outstanding student creativity
The annual NSCAD Student Art Award recognizes exceptional work by emerging artists and makers across the university’s creative disciplines.
Each year, students are nominated for their artistic achievement, with finalists receiving $1,000 best-in-category prizes and one student selected for the $5,000 Grand Prize. The grand prize-winning artwork is also acquired for the President’s Art Bank, part of NSCAD University’s permanent collection.
More than a celebration of achievement, the Student Art Award gives emerging artists an opportunity to exhibit their work, gain recognition and share their creative practices with the wider community as they prepare for the next stage of their careers.
The Student Art Award Returns in 2027
Another year of creativity is underway at NSCAD!
The Student Art Award will return in spring 2027 to recognize outstanding student work from across the university.
Details about the 2027 nominees, exhibition and award ceremony will be announced closer to the event. Check back for updates.
In the meantime, meet the 2026 Grand Prize winner and explore the work of this year's finalists.
2026 Student Art Award
Abby Spooner wins the 2026 Student Art Award
Abby Spooner (BFA 2026) is the recipient of the 2026 NSCAD Student Art Award.
The jury selected Spooner from a pool of nine Student Art Award finalists for her crocheted tapestry, Queen NeNe I. The announcement was made on Thursday, April 23, at a public gala reception and exhibition at the Anna Leonowens Gallery.
“I feel incredibly grateful and humbled to have won this award,” says Spooner. “This is my sixth year at NSCAD, and it felt like an eternity. So, winning this is just a really validating moment for me.”
Queen NeNe I depicts NeNe Leakes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta rendered in the likeness of Queen Elizabeth I, from her 17th-century coronation portrait. Spooner says she would not have been able to accomplish this work without the support of the NSCAD Textiles department.
Meet the 2026 Student Art Award Finalists
Nine students representing nine creative disciplines were recognized as finalists for the 2026 NSCAD Student Art Award.
Their nominated works were exhibited at the Anna Leonowens Gallery from April 21–25, 2026, giving the public an opportunity to discover the breadth of creative talent emerging from NSCAD.
Each finalist received a $1,000 best-in-category prize, made possible through the support of award sponsors.
Thank You to our Sponsors
The NSCAD Student Art Award is made possible through the generosity of individuals, organizations and community partners who support emerging artists and designers.
Their contributions help recognize student achievement, provide financial awards and create opportunities for students to share their work with the public.
