Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts
Denise Hanayo Fujiwara
Photographer(s): Denise Grant
Latest winner
Denise Hanayo Fujiwara
Denise Hanayo Fujiwara is a choreographer, performer, dramaturg and teacher based in Tkaronto/Toronto. She has spent 40 years exploring the art of dance, cultivating a rich and diverse body of work. Her creations include Eunoia, a multimedia adaptation of Christian Bök’s award-winning book, and Moving Parts, a captivating piece featuring a moving choir and singing dancers. Her six solo dance concerts have toured extensively across Canada and graced festivals in the United States, South America, Europe and Asia. In collaboration with William Yong, she created the award-winning short films Noppera-bo and Valley of Shadows, which were recognized in Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo. A co-founder of CanAsian Dance, Fujiwara is also a recipient of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Muriel Sherrin Award for international achievement in dance.
To learn more about Denise Hanayo Fujiwara, visit www.fujiwaradance.com.
The prize
The Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts recognizes the highest level of artistic merit and distinguished career achievement by a professional artist from Canada in music, theatre or dance.
Type of prize
The prize is awarded on a 4-year cycle—alternating between the fields of dance, theatre, dance, and music—and can reach $50,000.
Background
Walter Carsen established the endowment fund for the prize in February 2001 through a generous donation of $1.1 million to the Canada Council, which administers and promotes the prize.
Additional information
waltercarsen-prizes@canadacouncil.ca
1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or 613-566-4414, ext. 4086
Deadline
The next competition will be in 2026. Two prizes will be awarded, for music and dance.
Amount
Up to
$50,000
Nomination-based
The Canada Council is committed to equity in all its activities, including the administration of prizes and awards.
Accessibility
If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, or a TTY user, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact the Canada Council.
The Canada Council for the Arts can also receive calls from a video relay service (VRS). For more information, visit the VRS Canada website.