Canada’s contemporary art scene is taking centre stage in Ottawa as the 2026 Sobey Art Award Exhibition opens at the National Gallery of Canada.

The exhibition brings together six of Canada’s leading contemporary artists, with each artist representing a different region of the country.

The annual Sobey Art Award is one of Canada's major recognitions for contemporary visual artists. Its exhibition provides audiences with an opportunity to explore different artistic practices and perspectives emerging from across Canada.

The 2026 exhibition highlights the diversity of Canadian contemporary art, bringing together artists working across different mediums and approaches.

The opening also puts renewed attention on Canada's visual-arts community and the role of major national institutions in giving artists a wider platform.

For Canadian art audiences, the exhibition offers a snapshot of the country's contemporary creative landscape while placing artists from different regions in a national spotlight.