Celebrating creative impact: Fifteen local artists recognized with $15,000 prize
December 8, 2025
The Edmonton Arts Council, City of Edmonton, and Edmonton Community Foundation are pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund awards.
Fifteen artists have been awarded a 2025 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) award. Each award is $15,000, for a total of $225,000.
“For over 25 years, EATF recipients have testified to the award’s transformative impact on their artistic careers,” says Renée Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Edmonton Arts Council. “Building on that legacy, the EAC, in collaboration with the ECF, is proud to honour these 15 diverse artists whose contributions help create a vibrant arts scene enjoyed by audiences across our city.”
The Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) recognizes an artist’s work and contribution to the community. The $15,000 awards provide financial stability for artists to renew, develop, create or experiment. These awards are supported by the proceeds from the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund, held by the Edmonton Community Foundation.
“Dance is my language, it is how I tell the world I am here, I am alive, and my experiences matter,” says 2025 recipient Stephanie Lilley. “As a dance artist, I have the honour of leading an inspired life and this makes me rich beyond measure. Being awarded the EATF validates my dedication and ensures I can simultaneously create meaningful art and support my family.”
“The EATF was established at Edmonton Community Foundation in 1997 with a $100,000 donation from John and Barbara Poole,” Joanne Currie, the Director, Grants & Community Engagement at ECF says. “Today, the fund stands at $2.1 million and has already contributed over $1.3 million to artists whose work strengthens and inspires our community. It shows the remarkable, long-term impact that an endowment can have on our city.”
More information about the Edmonton Arts Council’s grants and award programs can be found at: https://www.edmontonarts.ca/calls-funding/funding
Recipients of the 2025 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award:
Amson (TheApex) is a Haitian-born multi-instrumentalist and producer whose primary focus is bass guitar, complemented by skills in guitar, piano, drums, and trombone. Committed to collaborating and supporting emerging artists, he organizes festivals, mentor musicians, and provides free production services to help underrepresented voices bring their creative visions to life.
Andrew MacDonald-Smith is an award-winning theatre actor and arts leader with over two decades of experience performing on major stages across Western Canada and Broadway. As Artistic Director of Teatro Live!, he has guided the company through growth and restructuring while continuing to create, perform, and mentor within Edmonton’s vibrant theatre community.
Andrew Ritchie is an award-nominated director, theatre maker, improviser, and producer whose work spans new plays, classical theatre, clown, bouffon, and immersive performance across North America. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Thou Art Here Theatre, co-founder of Edmonton’s Found Festival, and currently serves as program coordinator with Theatre Alberta while continuing to direct, perform, and create original works.
Anna Marie Sewell weaves poetry, storytelling, gardening, and cross-disciplinary work to celebrate life and its diverse beauty. Rooted in Mi’gmaq, Anishinaabe, and Polish heritage, their practice reflects a confluence of Indigenous and Slavic traditions, enriched by Canadian culture and global experiences.
Christine Lesiak is the founder and Artistic Director of Small Matters Productions, creating award-winning clown-theatre and interactive comedy shows while writing radical adaptations of classic works. With a background in physics and theatre, they have toured internationally, directed the Play the Fool Festival, and continue to mentor emerging artists while developing new plays that challenge cultural norms through humor and innovation.
David Jay the Spaniard is a self-taught, multi-instrumental composer and guitarist who fuses genres like flamenco, classical, folk, bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and metal into layered, orchestral style instrumental works using live looping. Their music emphasizes storytelling through sound, creating immersive, multi-genre compositions inspired by cultural identity and artists such as Paco de Lucía, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Hans Zimmer.
Gavin Bradley a poet, playwright, songwriter, and short fiction writer whose work explores themes of place, mental health, and cultural identity, shaped by their experience as an immigrant from Belfast living in Edmonton. His writing blends emotional depth with humor, often incorporating Irish language and imagery to contrast the landscapes of Ireland and the Canadian prairies, while embracing a wide range of poetic forms and genres.
Jacquie Daniels is a Cree-Métis songwriter and performer who blends outlaw country with Métis storytelling to explore themes of identity, motherhood, mental health, and Indigenous resilience. Through performances, mentorship, and community collaboration, her work amplifies Métis voices in country music while challenging traditional gender norms in the genre.
Kendra Connor has built a multifaceted career as a performer, producer, and now Executive Director of the Varscona Theatre, where she focuses on mentorship and community engagement. Deeply committed to the civic role of theatre, she collaborates with local organizations to foster advocacy and shared artistic voice. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership to further support Edmonton’s theatre community and ensure live performance remains accessible and vital.
Kim McCollum is a visual artist and weaving educator whose work explores the transformative power of “women’s work” through woven and painted pieces that reconstruct perspectives and narratives. Holding an MFA and a Master Weaver designation, she is the founder and creative director of Gather Textiles and has exhibited widely, earning national recognition and awards for her contributions to craft and community.
Mark Segger is a musician whose practice focuses on jazz, free improvisation, and contemporary classical music, creating concept-driven compositions that push the boundaries of sound and structure. His work emphasizes spontaneity, collaboration across disciplines, and the search for new sonic contexts to deliver innovative live performances.
Rhea March has been an integral Arts and Cultural Worker for emerging musicians in Edmonton for 20+ years. Connecting and building community between artists and industry has been Rheas’ main intention but has also focused on educating and mentoring throughout her career.
Seeka Sings is a children’s singer and multidisciplinary creator who uses music, videos, and learning resources to promote belonging, inclusivity, and social-emotional development. Drawing on Jamaican heritage and Edmonton’s multicultural community, her work fosters authentic representation and joyful learning experiences that help every child feel seen and valued.
Stephanie Lilley is a contemporary dance professional whose work spans performing, teaching, choreographing, and arts administration. They are committed to creating inclusive spaces that challenge traditional ideals of dance and empower dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Their practice includes leading Viva Dance Company, co-directing Orchesis Dance Society, teaching at MacEwan University, and engaging in diverse freelance projects.
Whittyn Jason is a queer, non-binary scenographer and award-winning lighting designer whose work spans over 60 productions across Canada and internationally, specializing in interactive, site-specific projects and new work development. They also serve as Festival Director for Found Festival and Co-Artistic Producer with Major Matt Mason Theatre Collective, bringing innovative design to diverse and unconventional spaces.
