---
title: The Kingston Prize
description: "Canada's national portrait competition celebrating contemporary portraiture by Canadian artists."
url: "https://www.artsume.com/o/the-kingston-prize"
type: organization
createdAt: 2026-05-05
updatedAt: 2026-08-26
organizationType: Professional association
location: "Toronto, ON, Canada"
website: "https://kingstonprize.ca/"
yearFounded: 2005
---

# The Kingston Prize

*Professional association • Toronto, ON, Canada*

## About

Canada's national portrait competition celebrating contemporary portraiture by Canadian artists.

The Kingston Prize is Canada's national portrait competition, a biennial (now annual) event open to any Canadian artist depicting a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in a portrait based on a real-life encounter. Its mission is to encourage and reward the creation of contemporary portraits by Canadian artists, promote Canadian talent through competition, and build an enduring historical record of Canadians, by Canadians. The competition includes an exhibition tour showcasing finalists' works across the country. The Prize supports a growing community of portrait artists and provides visibility through news coverage and public exhibitions.

## Details

- **Founded:** 2005
- **Address:** 40 King Street West, Suite 6202, Toronto, ON, M5H 3Y2, Canada
- **Website:** https://kingstonprize.ca/
- **Social Media:** facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadaportraitprize/, instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingstonprize/, twitter: https://twitter.com/kingstonprize

## Programs

View current programs from The Kingston Prize on Artsume: https://www.artsume.com/o/the-kingston-prize