401 Richmond is pleased to announce Miles Ingrassia as the recipient of the 2019 Career Launcher Prize. Awarded annually, the prize provides an exceptional opportunity to occupy a coveted 500 square foot studio for a full year at one of Canada’s most dynamic arts facilities. The recipient is chosen from a Toronto-wide competition by a panel of visual arts professionals. The Career Launcher Prize has been presented annually since 2000 as a way of providing support for research and experimentation at a critical time in an emerging artist’s career.
The 2019 Career Launcher Prize jury remarked, “Although a very competitive year, with a record number of applications to consider, Miles Ingrassia was a stand-out. His unique painterly aesthetic illustrates a fascination with intimate, human moments that are rendered as understated, slice-of-life vignettes. We look forward to seeing the development in Ingrassia’s practice during his time in residence at 401 Richmond.”
“I am so humbled and grateful to accept the 401 Career Launcher Prize. The 401 building has always held a special place in my heart; I can vividly remember my excitement touring the building as an undergraduate student, imagining the type of success that leads an artist to work in such an incredible space. I have carried these very thoughts with me as motivation to continue to work hard in the hopes of achieving such goals. Today, I am pleased that for the next year I can sincerely and earnestly call 401 my home. I’m confident that this space, along with the overwhelming sense of community found at 401, will allow me to pursue ambitious works and projects, and I look forward to pushing past my boundaries as an artist,” says Miles Ingrassia.
Ingrassia will join the 401 Richmond community in Studio 260 from September 2019 to August 2020.
Past Recipients
Sarah Blagg (2000), Angie Nishikihama (2001), Sarah Lowry (2002), Emma Shankland (2003), Kristine Moran (2004), Emmy Skensved (2005), Adam Brandejs (2006), Gareth Bate (2007), Nikki Woolsey (2008), Angela Noussis (2009), Winnie Truong (2010), Chelsea Jamieson (2011), Graham Curry (2012), Kerry Zentner (2013), Erin MacKeen (2014), Kelly Uyeda (2016), Ellen Bleiwas (2017) and Carol Cheong (2018)
About 401 Richmond
401 Richmond is an early 20th century industrial building that was transformed in 1994 into a vibrant home for artists’, galleries, film festivals, charities, not-for-profits, magazines, architects, theatre groups and design firms. The building’s renewal, over 20 years ago, was inspired by author Jane Jacobs’ observation that “new ideas need old buildings” and the importance of diversity and mixed-uses in the city.