December 9, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Annual Arts and Letters Competition begins

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that the provincial Arts and Letters Competition is now receiving submissions for this year's awards.

"This competition encourages and stimulates the creative talents of amateur and professional artists in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Furey. "Since its inception in 1952, we have received tens of thousands of submissions. The increased number of entries in recent years, is indicative of the interest in the program, and of the high calibre of artistic talent we have in the province."

Each applicant is required to submit his/her creative piece to either the Senior or Junior (E.J. Pratt) Divisions of the competition. The Senior Division (19 years and older) categories are: Poetry; Short Fiction (maximum 5,000 words); Non-Fiction Prose (maximum 5,000 words); Dramatic Script; Musical Composition; Photography; Painting; Drawing and Printmaking; and Three Dimensional Art. The Junior Division (12 to 18 years) consists of three categories: Prose; Poetry; and Visual Art.

The prizes in the Senior Division are $600, $300 and $150 for first, second and third place respectively. The prizes for the Junior Division are $300, $200 and $100 for first, second and third place respectively.

All entries to the competition must be received at the Arts and Letters Office, located in the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's, by 5 p.m., Friday, February 18, 2000, or postmarked by that date. Late entries will not be accepted. Additional information may be obtained at the Arts and Letters Office by calling (709) 729-5253.

Media contact: Regina Best, Co-ordinator Arts and Letters Competition, (709) 729-5253.

1999 12 09 9:35 a.m.