Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize

The Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize will be awarded annually to a Manitoban, early-career, or aspiring arts manager. Along with recognition and encouragement from Prairie Theatre Exchange’s leadership, the recipient will also be awarded $2,500 to support the advancement of their career and propel them on their professional journey through the arts.

The recipient of the award will be required to submit a report due one year after the announcement date. Full requirements of the report will be shared with the recipient.

The Award is named after PTE’s beloved former General Manager, Cherry, who led the company for over 30 years. She was and is deeply passionate about supporting artists, and it is our great honour to offer this awardin her name to encourage the next generation of arts managers.

This award is generously supported in part by True North Real Estate Development.

TANNER MANSON
2024 Recipient

Tanner Manson (he/him) is a queer theatre/dance artist and arts manager. He is passionate about nurturing relationships & long-term collaboration while creating new & exciting work. He does a little bit of everything and loves everything a lot: writing, creating, facilitating, directing, teaching, producing, performing, administration, and choreographing!

Currently, Tanner is Chair of One Trunk Theatre’s Artistic Board, where he is currently working with the team by co-facilitating and connecting with communities through their rural arts outreach program, Talking Roots. He is also one of the co-founding Artistic Producers of Walk&Talk Theatre Company who are currently in the midst of their inaugural season featuring the world premiere of three new musicals! Tanner is a busy boy who freelances to support the work of a hefty handful of artists and companies in Manitoba, both in administrative and creative roles!

Tanner is especially grateful for the mentorship of his colleagues and dear friends: Ardith Boxall, Rea Kavanagh, and Andraea Sartison, who supported his administrative and creative career simultaneously. Much love to every pal who has had to sit through every time Tanner has turned a hangout into a production meeting.

“What an honour to be the recipient of the Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize! My career thus far has been dedicated to supporting artists in our province, carving out multidisciplinary artistic pathways between artists, communities & generations. I am eternally grateful for my mentors who have shared their practices with me. Working as an Arts Manager and a creative producer, I firmly believe administrative work is artistic work - it’s where the shaping of a creative process begins. The support of this prize will support my work as an independent producer as I solicit funds, facilitate space & create opportunities for artists & artisans from all pockets of our creative sector in the quest to create & produce wonderfully wacky shows together.”