Brampton’s d’bi.young anitafrika Among 2025 Johanna Metcalf Prize Winners Honoured in Toronto

May 5, 2025 Tiana Squire 0 Comments 2 min read

Toronto — Five outstanding Ontario artists were honoured last night at Toronto’s Gardiner Museum as winners of the 2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prizes (The Johannas) — one of the province’s most prestigious and generous awards recognizing artistic excellence across dance, theatre, and music/opera.

Among this year’s recipients is d’bi.young anitafrika, a Brampton-based dub poet, playwright, and scholar, celebrated for her powerful work in theatre and spoken word. She named Sashoya Simpson, a rising writer and storyteller, as her protégé.

The annual prize, administered by the Metcalf Foundation, awards $25,000 to each winner, and $10,000 to a protégé of their choosing, spotlighting early-career artists with exceptional promise. Ten other finalists also received $2,000 each, bringing the total prize value to $195,000 — making the Johannas one of the largest unrestricted arts prizes in the province.

🏆 The 2025 Johanna Metcalf Prize Winners & Protégés:

d’bi.young anitafrika (Brampton) → Sashoya Simpson
Alain Doom (Ottawa) → Dillon Orr
Sarah Gartshore (Sudbury) → Adam Francis Proulx
Kevin Lau (Ottawa) → Michelle Lorimer
Weyni Mengesha (Toronto) → Luke Reece

Owen Pallett, Chair of the 2025 Johannas, praised the winners:

“Their work exemplifies the resilience, creativity, and bold vision that define Ontario’s artistic landscape… To know that the artistic practice is alive and well in Ontario, and that we’re supporting these trailblazers, is incredibly inspiring.”

Finalists this year included notable names such as Haviah Mighty, Donna Grantis, Adrian Sutherland, and Penny Couchie, reflecting the diversity of voices across the province’s creative sectors.

The Johannas were created in memory of Johanna Metcalf, who led the Metcalf Foundation’s work for over 40 years. The prize celebrates mid-career artists who have made a meaningful public impact while continuing to push artistic boundaries.

For more information, visit metcalffoundation.com.

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