Helen R.K. Peters Art & Community Builder Award

Helen R.K. Peters devoted her life to documenting, supporting, and sharing the rich artistic and cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador. A generous scholar, educator, advocate, and community builder, she contributed her time and expertise to many of the province’s cultural organizations, including the Newfoundland Quarterly, the Newfoundland Historical Society, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, to name a few. Through this work, she helped preserve local stories, strengthen cultural connections, and amplify the voices of artists across the province.

Helen taught in the Department of English at the University of Ottawa from 1978 to 1983 before joining the faculty of Memorial University in 1984, where she encouraged and influenced generations of artists, writers, and cultural workers until her retirement in 2004.

OVERVIEW
The Helen R.K. Peters Art & Community Builder Award celebrates an artist, collective, or arts leader in Newfoundland and Labrador whose work demonstrates both artistic excellence and a deep, sustained commitment to building community through the arts.

Established in memory of Helen Peters, this award recognizes the power of art to connect people, foster belonging, and strengthen communities across the province.

AWARD VALUE

Cash prize: $2,500
Presented annually as part of the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Awards

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must:

be a current resident of Newfoundland and Labrador;
be an individual artist, collective, or arts/cultural leader; and
have an established body of work or demonstrated track record of community-engaged practice.

Previous recipients are not eligible to reapply.

PURPOSE
This award recognizes individuals or groups who: