Longlist announced for 40th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Awards
Nov 5, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Longlist announced for 40th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Awards
November 5, 2025 (St. John’s, NL) – ArtsNL is pleased to announce the longlist for the 40th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Awards.
This milestone year marks four decades of recognizing artistic excellence in Newfoundland and Labrador. ArtsNL remains committed to supporting the province’s vibrant arts community and will host a formal Arts Awards ceremony on December 9, 2025, to honour this year’s recipients. The location of the ceremony will be announced at a later date.
“ArtsNL is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, and it has provided an opportunity to reflect on how far the arts community has come, and to recognize the artists and organizations who continue to shape our province’s cultural life,” said Melanie Martin, Executive Director of ArtsNL. “The Arts Awards stand as an enduring symbol of our respect and gratitude for the creative voices that define Newfoundland and Labrador.”
David Brown, Chair of ArtsNL, added: “For forty years, these awards have celebrated not only excellence in artistic practice, but also the community spirit that sustains the arts across our province. Congratulations to all the nominees. We look forward to honouring this year’s recipients and marking this important milestone together.”
Each year, artists of all disciplines are recognized through the presentation of six awards.
Patron of the Arts Award – Recognizes a person, business, or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovative, community, or sustained support of artistic activity. The nominees are:
- Business and Arts NL
- Dean Clarke
- Kirk Lethbridge
- Rozalind MacPhail
- Perfect Day
- Greg Smith
Emerging Artist Award – Recognizes new and undisputed talent. It is awarded to an emerging artist, group, or arts organization that has earned significant recognition for their professional artistic practice. The nominees are:
- Becca Bartlett
- Summer Bennett
- Michelle Churchill
- Hilary Cooper
- Melissa Francis
- Sandra Gill
- Bailey Jackson
- Cameron Jenkins
- Denika Kelly
- Franziska Legg
- Kaine MacPherson
- MADELINE
- Shweta Mohan
- Carmen Munoz
- Benjamin Noah
- Zay Nova
- Lonni Patey
- Matt Perrier
- Port-aux-Poutines (Jenna Maloney and Axel Belgarde)
- Ana Luísa Ramos
- Brianna Russell
- Salt Beef Junkies Band
- With Violet
Arts in Education Award – Recognizes an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to arts in education in Newfoundland and Labrador over a number of years. The nominees are:
- Sherry Crowley
- Bernard Felix
- Meghan Herder
- Julie Lewis
- Rozalind MacPhail
- Jamie Miller
- Jill Moores
- Lynn Panting
- Erin Power
- Paul Rowe
- Daniel Rumbolt
Hall of Honour Award – Recognizes a person, group, or organization that has made a distinguished lifetime contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador. The nominees are:
- Tim Borlase
- The Ennis Sisters
- Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Artist Achievement Award – Given annually to a practicing artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador over a number of years. The nominees are:
- Gary Collins
- Franziska Legg
- Kirk Lethbridge
- Benjamin Noah
- Dana Parsons
- Colleen Power
- Toby Rabinowitz
- Ana Luísa Ramos
- Andrew Rodgers
- Janice Udell
- Nelson White
Artist of the Year Award – 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 2024. The nominees are:
- April Allen
- Summer Bennett
- Vanessa Cardoso
- Mick Davis
- Justin Fancy
- Ian Foster
- Ushindi Kabasele
- Sharon King-Campbell
- Rozalind MacPhail
- Misty Manifest
- Benjamin Noah
- Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
- Ana Luísa Ramos
- Andrew Rodgers
- Anastasia Tiller
- Melissa Tremblett
- Jing Xia
A multidisciplinary selection committee has selected the winners for each of the six awards. A shortlist of finalists in each category will be announced in mid-November
Information about the Arts Awards, including nomination criteria, is available on the here.
Media enquiries:
Charlene Jackson
Communications Officer, ArtsNL
(709) 726-2212 ext. 3
charlene@artsnl.ca
The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (ArtsNL) is a non-profit Crown agency created in 1980 by The Arts Council Act. Its mission is to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of no fewer than 9 and no more than 11 members appointed by Government. At least 7 members must be artists or arts administrators, and one member is appointed to represent the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (non-voting). ArtsNL receives an annual allocation of $5.3 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to support a variety of granting programs, program delivery, office administration, and communications. It also seeks support from the public and private sectors. It supports the following artistic disciplines: dance, film and video, Indigenous arts and practices, literary arts, multidisciplinary arts, music and sound, theatre and performing arts, visual arts, and other similar creative and interpretative works or activities.
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