TORONTO, March 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Three well-known Canadian photographers have been named as finalists for the 2012 Scotiabank Photography Award (SPA).  The SPA Shortlist announcement was made on Friday, March 16 at the bank's headquarters in downtown Toronto. Now in its second year, the SPA was created to raise the international profile of Canada's leading photographic artists and is the largest annual peer reviewed celebration of excellence in Canadian contemporary photography.

The 2012 Scotiabank Photography Award Shortlist Finalists are:

Fred Herzog, Vancouver, British Columbia
Nominated by: Robert Enright, Professor and University Research Chair in Art Theory and Criticism University of Guelph, Waterloo, Ontario & Senior Contributing Editor Border Crossings Magazine, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Arnaud Maggs, Toronto
Nominated by: Doina Popescu, Director, Ryerson Image Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Alain Paiement, Montreal
Nominated by Anne-Marie Ninacs, Independent Researcher and Curator, Montreal, Quebec

This year's SPA jury is comprised of William A. Ewing, Director of Curatorial Projects, Thames & Hudson/London/New York/Paris/Singapore/Hong Kong/Melbourne; Karen Love, Manager of Grants and Publications and Independent Curator, Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia and Ann Thomas, Photographs Collection, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The jurors reviewed a submitted body of work from 12 nominees put forward by a panel of the country's leading photographic arts experts ranging from art gallery directors, curators, practicing artists, professors, writers and critics in all parts of Canada.

"The SPA awards were established to celebrate the vision of Canadian artists who all have a unique way of telling a story through the lens of a camera," explained Jane Nokes, Director of the Fine Art Collection and Corporate Archives at Scotiabank. "The awards recognize contemporary Canadian photographer artists whose work is not only enjoyed by but also adds to the richness of communities across the country. It is our hope, that as SPA finalists they will experience further recognition and be inspired to continue creating exceptional work."

The SPA winner will receive a cash prize of $50,000.00, book and exhibition at CONTACT in 2013 - in total the award has a value of more than $100,000.00. The book will be published and distributed world-wide by internationally-renowned art photography publisher Steidl (Germany). The winner will also be featured at their own curated exhibition at the following year's Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.

The SPA was conceived and developed by Ed Burtynsky, one of Canada's most respected photographers and Jane Nokes, Director of the Fine Art Collection and Corporate Archives at Scotiabank Group. Mr. Burtynsky serves as Chair of the SPA and Jane Nokes is the Award's Executive Director. Both serve on the Board of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, the largest photography festival in the world.

This year's SPA winner will be announced May 9, 2012.  For more information please visit: http://www.scotiabankphotoaward.com/index.html

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.