OTTAWA — The National Gallery of Canada is preparing to showcase some of the country’s most notable contemporary artists as the 2026 Sobey Art Award Exhibition opens next month.

The exhibition will open to the public on September 3, 2026, bringing together works by six shortlisted artists: Melaw Nakehk'o, Samuel Roy-Bois, Audie Murray, Lotus L. Kang, Caroline Monnet and Shane Perley-Dutcher. The exhibition will remain on view through January 3, 2027.

The Sobey Art Award is one of Canada's major platforms for contemporary visual artists, and this year's exhibition reflects a broad range of artistic practices and perspectives.

The National Gallery says the exhibition celebrates leading contemporary artistic voices in Canada, giving visitors an opportunity to discover artists working across different mediums and cultural contexts.

The announcement comes as Canadian galleries continue expanding opportunities to highlight contemporary and Indigenous artistic practices. The National Gallery is also representing Canada at the 2026 Venice Biennale, with artist Abbas Akhavan presenting Entre chien et loup.

The new Sobey exhibition is expected to become one of Ottawa’s major contemporary art attractions this fall, bringing Canadian artistic talent into the national spotlight.