The annual NLAC Awards are a celebration of the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador. Artists of all disciplines are recognized through the presentation of six awards.

“We have so much to celebrate this year as the arts awards turn 30,” says NLAC Executive Director Reg Winsor. “This year, the awards also serve as a starting point for the 35th anniversary of the NLAC. There will be more news to come on our various anniversary activities, and we can think of no better way to get the ball rolling than celebrating the creative work of professional artists, groups, arts organizations, and patrons in Newfoundland and Labrador through this special night.”

Memorial University Arts in Education 2014
This award recognizes an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to arts in education in Newfoundland and Labrador over a number of years. The finalists are:

  • Grant Etchegary - music
  • Jean Hewson – music
  • Dr. Caroline Schiller - music

Click here for a list of previous winners

Cox & Palmer Arts Achievement 2014
Recognizes a practicing artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador over a number of years. The finalists are:

  • Jim Duff - music
  • Pam Hall - visual
  • Janet McNaughton - writing

Click here for a list of previous winners

CBC Emerging Artist 2014
Recognizes new and undisputed talent. It is awarded to an emerging artist, group, or arts organization that has earned significant recognition for a piece of work or a generally out-sized impact on the scene. The finalists are:

  • Ally Baird - visual
  • Aaron Collis & Emilia Bartellas - music
  • Audrey Hurd - visual

Click here for a list of previous winners

BMO Bank of Montreal Artist of the Year 2014
Recognizes the art or activity of a person, group or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2014.

  • Paul Bowdring - writing
  • Deanne Foley - film
  • Rob Power - music

Click here for a list of previous winners.

Fortis Properties Arts Hall of Honour
Also announced today were the 2015 inductees into the Fortis Properties Arts Hall of Honour. This award recognizes a person, group or organization that has made a distinguished lifetime contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador. The inductees for 2015 include visual artist Pam Hall and Eastern Edge. They will be officially inducted into the Fortis Properties Arts Hall of Honour at the Arts Awards ceremony that takes place on July 10 in St. John’s.

Patron of the Arts
In addition to the above awards, the NLAC also announced this year’s Patron of the Arts which goes to John O’Dea. This award, given to a person, business or organization, recognizes an ongoing commitment to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovative, community, or sustained support of artistic activity.

Click here for a list of previous winners

In addition to money, artwork will be presented to the winners in each of the categories. This year’s winners will receive pieces from visual artist Elias Semigak. Semigak, originally from Nain, is a stone carver whose work is rooted in nature, his Inuit culture, and ancestry while exploring contemporary influences of his own generation. Of his work, Semigak says that it is his “hope that my art will be as enduring in nature as the stone itself.”

The 30th Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Arts Awards will take place 7:30pm Friday, July 10, 2015 at The Rooms in St. John’s, NL.