Alberta Magazine Awards Winners Announced
Calgary, Sept. 17, 2026 — The best and brightest talents in the province’s magazine industry gathered in Calgary on Sept. 17 to celebrate the Alberta Magazine Awards.
The annual event, hosted by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) and judged by industry leaders from across North America, showcases and celebrates the outstanding work of magazine professionals in the province.
“Alberta’s magazines tell the stories of our communities with creativity, curiosity, and exceptional craft. This year’s finalists and winners showcase the strength of magazine journalism and visual storytelling. AMPA is proud to celebrate the talented creators whose work helps readers better understand the places, people, and ideas that shape our lives,” says AMPA executive director Suzanne Trudel.
The Alberta Magazine Awards program honours the work of Alberta’s magazine creators, art directors, writers, photographers, editors, and illustrators. AMPA presented awards for excellence in magazine content published in 2026 across 19 categories, ranging from fiction and long-form feature writing to art direction, photography, and illustration.
Kim Larson was named Achievement in Publishing recipient in recognition of her decades-long contribution to magazine design and visual storytelling in Alberta. As creative director at Edify magazine and formerly art director for titles including Alberta Venture, Alberta Oil and Eighteen Bridges, Larson has helped shape some of the province’s most influential magazines. Larson continues to push creative boundaries, and earn acclaim for her forward-thinking approach, distinctive visual language and commitment to her craft.
Colleen Seto was named the recipient of the Editor of the Year Award for her exceptional leadership and editorial excellence. As managing editor of RPM Content Studio and executive editor of Avenue magazine, Seto oversees a diverse portfolio of editorial and custom publications, including award-winning titles such as Breakthroughs, Horizons, Spur, Create Calgary, and Leap. Known for her meticulous approach to editing, dedication to accuracy, and ability to bring out the best in writers, Seto consistently helps writers produce engaging and impactful stories.
The Sprawl, launched as a “pop-up journalism” initiative in 2017, was named Magazine of the Year for its imaginative, innovative, and impactful efforts to engage readers during Calgary’s municipal election. By making civic participation more accessible, relevant, and interactive, the publication encouraged Calgarians to become active participants in shaping their community and provided readers with meaningful context on issues affecting Calgarians.
A wide range of magazines across the province earned podium spots in editorial and design categories. See the complete list of finalists and winners below. Read their award-winning entries online.
The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) is a member-driven, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the people who create, publish, print, and distribute the province’s rich diversity of publications. Since 1995, it has been supporting magazines in Alberta and beyond through promotion, advancement, and practical programs that foster professional development and industry growth.
QUICK FACTS about Alberta’s Magazine Publishing Industry
- Alberta magazines are trusted sources of information and storytelling, reflecting the people, communities, and issues that shape the province.
- The sector is made up primarily of independent, locally owned publishers that produce original Canadian content and support more than 650 jobs in Alberta’s creative workforce.
- Each week, Alberta magazines reach 1.6 million readers, or 43% of the province’s population.
For inquiries or more information, contact: Suzanne Trudel, Executive Director director@albertamagazines.com 403-262-0081
