Vancouver dance artist Ralph Escamillan wins new national RBC Emerging Artist Award

The honour comes from the presenting sponsor of 2023 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards

VANCOUVER DANCE ARTIST Ralph Escamillan has just been named the recipient of the inaugural RBC Emerging Artist Award. RBC established the award as part of its role as presenting sponsor of the 2023 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.

Escamillan, a queer, Canadian-Filipinx performance artist, teacher, and community leader, is the founder of FakeKnot. Drawing from street, commercial, and contemporary dance, he explores the complexities of identity, culture, gender, migration, and more in his work using a unique blend of costume, sound, technology, and the body. He most recently created and performed in PIÑA, an ensemble piece looking at his heritage and the diasporic experience, which takes its name from a traditional textile from the Philippines made of fibres from the leaves of pineapple plants. He also appeared on the cover of Stir’s inaugural annual Fall Arts Guide print magazine in 2021.

The aritst was selected from a pool of 13 candidates by a committee of artistic leaders based on eligibility, merit, and impact on the community.

“Success in the arts is heavily influenced by the wealth, resources, and cultural capital an individual has access to, and receiving this award uplifts the hard work of artists who don’t have that same access,” Escamillan says in a release.

Escamillan will be recognized at the 2023 GGPAA gala on May 27 in Ottawa. This year’s laureates for Lifetime Artistic Achievement are Michel Marc Bouchard, Molly Johnson, James Kudelka, Rosemarie Landry, and k.d lang.

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