RELEASE: ArtsSmarts projects funded in schools across Newfoundland and Labrador
Feb 3, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ArtsSmarts projects funded in schools across Newfoundland and Labrador
February 3, 2026 (St. John’s, NL) – ArtsNL awarded $158,704 in grants to 27 schools across the province through the ArtsSmarts Program for the 2024-25 school year. ArtsSmarts brings practicing artists into classrooms to help teachers and students integrate creative activities across all subject areas. We gratefully acknowledge the support of an anonymous donor whose generous $50,000 gift helps advance arts in education and was shared between ArtsSmarts and the School Touring Program. This additional funding helped increase access to meaningful arts-learning opportunities for students across Newfoundland and Labrador.
“ArtsSmarts continues to show how powerful creative learning can be in the classroom,” said Melanie Martin, Executive Director of ArtsNL. “When practicing artists work directly with students, it opens space for discovery and helps teachers approach the curriculum in new, engaging ways. These projects strengthen students’ confidence, curiosity, and connection to the arts.”
The successful applicants for 2024-25 are:
| Admiral’s Academy (Conception Bay South) | $3,889 |
| Baccalieu Collegiate (Old Perlican) | $5,946 |
| Bayside Academy (Port Hope Simpson) | $7,000 |
| Beachy Cove Elementary School (Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s) | $6,923 |
| Cabot Academy (Western Bay) | $2,321 |
| East Point Elementary (St. John’s) | $6,242 |
| École des Grands-Vents (St. John’s) | $5,874 |
| École Rocher-du-Nord (St. John’s) | $7,000 |
| Elizabeth Park Elementary (Paradise) | $2,978 |
| Fatima Academy (St. Bride’s) | $5,602 |
| Green Bay South Academy (Robert’s Arm) | $7,000 |
| Holy Heart High School (St. John’s) | $6,130 |
| Holy Trinity Elementary (Torbay) | $5,967 |
| Lakecrest Independent School (St. John’s) | $7,000 |
| Leary’s Brook Junior High (St. John’s) | $6,996 |
| Long Range Academy (Cow Head) | $6,754 |
| Macdonald Drive Junior High (St. John’s) | $7,000 |
| Morris Academy (Mount Pearl) | $4,890 |
| Paradise Elementary School (Paradise) | $7,000 |
| Pasadena Academy (Pasadena) | $7,000 |
| Perlwin Elementary (Winterton) | $6,096 |
| St. Edward’s School (Conception Bay South) | $7,000 |
| St. James All Grade (Lark Harbour) | $1,528 |
| St. Matthew’s Elementary (St. John’s) | $7,000 |
| St. Mary’s Elementary (St. John’s) | $7,000 |
| St. Peter’s Elementary (Upper Island Cove) | $3,568 |
| Tricon Elementary (Bay de Verde) | $7,000 |
ArtsSmarts in Newfoundland and Labrador is a partnership between ArtsNL, Equinor, and the Department of Education’s Cultural Connections initiative. Cultural Connections seeks to increase the presence of cultural content in the school curriculum and foster links between the arts and school communities. More information on the ArtsSmarts program can be found 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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