The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation has named three distinguished artists as recipients of the province's top artistic recognition for 2025. Internationally renowned trumpeter Jens Lindemann, Calgary multimedia artist Rita McKeough, and Calgary choral conductor Elaine Quilichini will each receive $30,000 and be honoured at a ceremony at the Art Gallery of Alberta on October 4.

The awards mark the 20th anniversary of the Distinguished Artist Awards, which have recognized Alberta's creative talent since 2005. Lindemann, who splits his time between Edmonton and Los Angeles, is a Member of the Order of Canada and currently teaches at UCLA while serving as artistic director of international music festivals. Calgary's McKeough received the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2009 and is known for pushing boundaries in contemporary art through installations and kinetic sculptures.

Quilichini has spent three decades in Calgary building and directing the Calgary Girls Choir, taking young performers on international tours and winning competitions from Vienna to CBC Radio's National Choral competition. All three recipients will also enjoy a two-week residency at the Banff Centre's Leighton Artist Studios as part of their recognition for elevating Alberta's artistic profile both nationally and internationally.