Budget for Arts and Letters Prize Awards Doubled

I am very pleased today to rise in this House to inform my colleagues and the residents of this province about the upcoming provincial Arts and Letters Awards.

This awards program, now in its 55th year, encourages and stimulates the creative and artistic talents that flourish within Newfoundland and Labrador. Tens of thousands of submissions have been received since the inception of the program in 1952. An increased number of entries over the last few years indicates that interest in the Arts and Letters Awards is growing.

This program affords a special opportunity for writers, composers, sculptors, photographers and painters alike, both young and old, amateur and professional, to participate in a program that honours the incredible artistic talent that is uniquely our own.

The alumni of the Arts and Letters recipients speaks to the integrity of this program and its influence in supporting and inspiring creative and artistic achievement in this province. We just have to look at the names of some of the past winners to understand the significance of these awards: Cassie Brown, David Blackwood, Scott Goudie, Harold Horwood, Ed Kavanagh, Kevin Major, Carmelita McGrath, Bernice Morgan, Helen Porter and Christopher Pratt, to name just a few.

Prizes will be awarded in two divisions: Junior for 12- to 18-year-olds and Senior for those 19 years and older. Categories include literary arts, musical composition, and visual arts. The Percy Janes First Novel Award is also presented to encourage Newfoundland and Labrador writers who aspire to enter the writing profession. As well, for the first time, a literary award in the French language will be offered for both the junior and senior divisions.

I am delighted to announce today that the total prize money for this year�s awards is $46,000, double that of last year. Compensation for all awards has increased and we are adding 27 additional awards. I encourage all potential applicants to take part. The deadline for applications is February 16, 2007. Further details can be found on our Arts and Letters Awards web site www.gov.nl.ca/artsandletters or by calling the Arts and Letters office.

I anticipate another highly successful awards program, which has been greatly enhanced this year with our increased investment in the support and development of the arts.

2006 12 12                                           2:05 p.m.