Ottawa – The Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., Speaker of the Senate, and the Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, announced today the appointment of Paul Wong as the first Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate for a two-year term beginning on September 1, 2026.
This new role was established through a 2024 amendment to the Parliament of Canada Act. The mandate of the Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate is to promote the arts in Canada, through Parliament, including by fostering knowledge, enjoyment, awareness and development of the arts.
Residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Paul Wong is a pioneering Canadian artist known for his innovative contributions to visual and media art. During a career spanning more than five decades, his artistic practice has encompassed film, video, sound, photography, installation, sculpture, printmaking, neon art, performance and writing. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, the Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts, and the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts.
As the steward for the Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate Program, the Library of Parliament supports the Artist Laureate over the course of their term by assisting with the planning, coordination and delivery of their programming initiatives. It also offers an annual stipend and a budget for travel, programming and administrative expenses.
