| Current Awards: | --> |
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| Awarded For: | visual arts in New Brunswick |
| Sponsor: | The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation |
| Venue: | or |
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| Country: | Canada |
| Reward: | $25,000 |
| Year: | 1991 |
The Strathbutler Award is a biennial prize awarded to a New Brunswick visual artist. It was first awarded in 1991 as an annual prize of $10,000, which increased to $15,000 in 2005.[1] In 2011 it became a biennial award with a value of $25,000, the highest for any visual art prize in New Brunswick.[2]
The Strathbutler is awarded by the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, which was founded in 1987 by the New Brunswick philanthropist in order to promote the visual arts and fine crafts. A native of Saint John, Mackay lived from the mid 1980s in a cottage on her family's Rothesay estate, which was called Strathnaver. The cottage having been previously occupied by a man named Butler, she called her house Strathbutler, and later gave the name to her foundation's first art prize.[3]
The Strathbutler Award recipients are chosen by jury. Once informed of the jury's choice, Mackay personally called the winners to congratulate them, and presented them with their awards, accompanied by a poem of her own composition, at a gala.[1] Mackay died in 2004.
Since 2015 award recipients have received an "iconic presentation piece" in the form of a sterling silver and copper knife designed by 2006 Strathbutler laureate Brigitte Clavette. The design is based on the Mackay family crest and named Manu forti (with a strong hand), after the family's motto.[4]