Arts and Letters Awards Program Turns 60!

In 2012, the Arts and Letters Awards Program will be celebrating its sixtieth anniversary. The program encourages and supports the creative process in Newfoundland and Labrador and is open to both amateur and professional artists. The deadline to submit work to the program is November 25.

“Since 1952, some of the province’s most well-known artists have been recognized through the Arts and Letters Awards Program,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “The program continues to acknowledge the creative talent of established writers, composers and visual artists, as well as the province’s young, up-and-coming talent. Over the last 60 years, thousands of artists throughout the province have participated in this program.”

Prizes for the Arts and Letters Awards Program are awarded in two divisions, junior and senior, and in a number of sections, including literary arts, visual arts, musical composition and digital multi-media. Total prize money for this year’s program is over $46,000 with 36 awards of $1,000 each to be awarded in the senior division, and 36 awards of $250 each in the junior division.

In recognition of the sixtieth anniversary, the program features a new award in the music section of the senior division, and a new digital multi-media award offered in the junior division. Also, two runner-up awards of $500 each have been introduced to the Percy Janes First Novel Award. These will be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators. The overall winner will receive $1,500. As well, additional exhibition fees will be paid to artists whose work is included in the Arts and Letters exhibition held at The Rooms.

For more information on the Arts and Letters Awards Program and the criteria for applying, visit www.gov.nl.ca/artsandletters.

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Media contact:

Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca 

2011 09 23                                                                   11:55 a.m.