Announcing a new partnership: Esse’s Young Critics Competition
December 4, 2025
The Hnatyshyn Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with Les Éditions Esse, in support of the publication’s Young Critics Competition. This writing competition is open to young authors registered in an undergraduate or master’s program at a Canadian university. It aims to promote the work of emerging art critics by providing them with editorial support and a first publishing experience in Esse arts + opinions.
Thanks to this collaboration, starting in 2026, the annual competition will offer a $1,000 prize to the winner. The winner will have their text published in the Fall issue of the magazine and will have the opportunity to publish a second text, with an additional $500 honorarium, on Esse’s digital platform. Two $500 prizes will also be awarded to the finalists, along with the online publication of their work.
“This new collaboration with the Hnatyshyn Foundation, renowned for its significant impact on the careers of young creators, will breathe new life into Les Éditions Esse’s Young Critics Competition. Since the competition’s inception 20 years ago, we have had the pleasure of supporting young authors in publishing their first text in Esse. Many have continued to collaborate with us since then. We look forward to discovering new voices and thank the Hnatyshyn Foundation for their support in this project.”
Sylvette Babin, Director, Les Éditions Esse
“We are thrilled to contribute to Esse’s Young Critics Competition — an essential program that has supported emerging critics of contemporary art for decades. Support for the development of new voices in Canadian art is central to the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s mandate. This joint effort will increase the prize value for the laureate and finalists, and it will provide the laureate with an opportunity to be published in Esse and to benefit from the support of its expert editorial team. Writers and critics play a vital role in shaping, reflecting and sustaining contemporary art practices in Canada. We are proud to announce this new partnership, as part of our continuing and expanding role in recognizing the importance of the arts in our lives and identities as Canadians.”
Joe Friday, Chair of the Hnatyshyn Foundation
See contest details here. Additionally, you can read previous years’ winning texts by creating a free account on Esse’s website.
