54th Annual Provincial Arts and Letters Awards underway

Inspired artists across the province are encouraged to make application for the 54th annual Provincial Arts and Letters Awards now underway, Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today.

"Artists play a vital role in creating and reflecting our heritage. We have tremendous creative talent in our province and we must continue to champion their creativity to encourage increased participation in the arts," said Minister Hedderson. "This awards program has created an inspiring legacy when you consider some of the previous recipients include celebrated artists such as Lisa Moore, Christopher Pratt and Michael Parker.�

Since its inception in 1952, the awards program has received tens of thousands of submissions. The competition is open to amateur or professional artists who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. This year, the deadline for submissions is Friday, January 20, 2006 � earlier than previous years� submission dates of February.

Applicants are required to submit creative pieces to either the Senior or Junior (E.J.Pratt) Divisions of the Awards.

The Senior Division (19 years and older) comprises:

• Literary Arts including Poetry; Short Fiction (Max. 5,000 words); Non Fictional Prose (Max. 5,000 words) and Dramatic Script;
• Musical Composition Section comprising all musical genres; and the
• Visual Arts Section including a wide-range of techniques: photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and others.

The prizes in the Senior Division are valued at $750 each.

The Junior (E.J. Pratt) Division (12 to 18 years) sections are similar to those in the Senior Division with the exception of the Literary Arts which has just two sections: poetry and prose. The prizes in the Junior Division are valued at $200 each.

The Percy Janes First Novel Award is for a full-length, unpublished novel manuscript with a minimum of 30,000 words and has a cash prize of $1,000.

All entries to the awards must be received with the appropriate application form at the Arts and Letters Office located at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's by 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2006, or postmarked by that date. Late entries will not be accepted.

Additional information may be obtained at the Arts and Letters Office (709) 729-5253, or e-mail rbest@gov.nl.ca , or by visiting the Arts and Letters Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/artsandletters

Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications, (709) 729-0329, 682-5093

2005 11 25                              9:30 a.m.