Canada Council for the Arts

The Virginia Parker Prize, valued at $30,000, is awarded annually to a Canadian classical singer, instrumentalist or conductor under the age of 32. The prize was established in 1982 by the late Virginia Parker and is funded by an annual donation from the Virginia Parker Foundation.

This prize is awarded to musicians who demonstrate outstanding talent, musicianship and artistic merit, and who make a valuable contribution to the artistic life in Canada and abroad.

To be eligible, you must:

- be a classical singer, instrumentalist or conductor

- have conducted or performed as a soloist or chamber musician internationally

be under the age of 32. For the 2025 competition, you must be born after December 31, 1992

- be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; you do not need to be living in Canada when you apply.

- not have previously received the Virginia Parker Prize.

You must also meet the Canada Council’s definition of a professional artist in music and sound, which is someone who:

- has specialized training in the field consistent with the standards of their practice

is recognized by other music artists working in their same tradition as an artist of superior achievement or potential

- is committed to their own artistic vision, retains creative control and is committed to the creation and/or promotion of original work

- has a history of public presentation, receives professional compensation for the public presentation of their work, and actively seeks to maximize the audience for their work, regardless of purely commercial considerations.

Further information and application: https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/prizes/virginia-parker-prize/guidelines-virginia-parker-prize

Please refer to the application form for detailed instructions.

- Curriculum vitae (3 pages maximum)

- Biography (150 words maximum)

- Artistic statement (2 pages maximum)

- 3 recordings