Nicholas Galanin Wins Crystal Bridges Museum’s $200,000 Prize

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has named Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit-Unangax̂) as the recipient of this year’s Don Tyson Prize for outstanding achievement in American art.

A press release called Galanin “a renowned figure in the art world” for his multidisciplinary practice, which blends traditional Tlingit art forms with modern techniques and themes. The biennial cash prize of $200,000 was established in 2016 by the Tyson family in honor of the former chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods.

“Receiving the Don Tyson Prize is a profound honor,” Galanin said in a press statement. “My work seeks to disrupt colonial frameworks while celebrating Indigenous presence, knowledge, and creativity. This recognition fuels my ongoing efforts to create art that sparks dialogue, reclaims narratives, and envisions a future where culture, land, and identity are protected and celebrated.”

Speaking from the Campo Air artist residency in Garzón, Uruguay, Galanin told ARTnews that he might put the money toward a possible upgrade for the “brutal” flight home back to Sitka, Alaska. He also said the funds would go to research, materials, and other life expenses, such as college tuition for two of his six children.

This year has been a busy one for the multidisciplinary artist. His large-scale installation Seletega (run, see if people are coming/corre a ver si viene gente) was recently displayed near the Faena hotel during Miami Art Week. Galanin also was the recipient of a 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship, as well as solo exhibitions at SITE Santa Fe, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Peter Blum Gallery.

This year, the Crystal Bridges Museum also acquired two works by Galanin and received a gift of another work.

“These artworks will feature prominently in our reinstallation and expansion, underscoring Nicholas’s influence on contemporary art and important role in the ever-broadening American art story,” board chair Olivia Walton said in a statement. The 114,000-square-foot expansion is scheduled to open in 2026.

“Nicholas Galanin’s work is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs, and deep connection to the land of Indigenous peoples,” Olivia Tyson said in a statement. “We are inspired by his talent and are thrilled to award him with the fifth Don Tyson Prize. He’s a bold artist who creates thought-provoking work. Nicholas has impacted the field through innovation, creative thinking, and risk-taking.”