RELEASE: Summer/Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 Creation Grants announced
Aug 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summer/Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 Creation Grants announced
August 27, 2025 (St. John’s, NL) – ArtsNL has invested $354,897 to support 28 Indigenous-led artistic projects through the Creation Grant Program. In Summer/Fall 2024, $108,000 was awarded to nine projects, with a further $246,897 distributed to 19 projects in Winter 2025.
The Creation Grant Program is a pilot initiative providing funding specifically for Indigenous artists, artistic groups, and culture carriers in Newfoundland and Labrador, made possible through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Year of the Arts funding. It supports the creation, development, exhibition, and transfer of knowledge related to an art form or artistic practice. Grants are available to Indigenous artists at any stage of their artistic career, working across all disciplines.
“The Creation Grants Program pilot marks a historic and vital step forward for ArtsNL,” said ArtsNL’s Executive Director, Melanie Martin. “Developed by our Indigenous Outreach Officer in close consultation with members of our Indigenous Advisory Council, this is the first arts funding program developed specifically to support Indigenous artists in Newfoundland and Labrador. It reflects ArtsNL’s deep commitment to listening, learning, and working in partnership with Indigenous communities to ensure their voices, stories, and creative practices are supported and celebrated through equitable access to funding.”
The recipients for Summer/Fall 2024, including microgrants, are:
| April Allen (Western Labrador) | $15,000 |
| Jason Benoit (Western Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Jessica Brown (Avalon Peninsula) | $15,000 |
| Evan Butler (Western Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Melissa Francis (Eastern Newfoundland) | $ 1,500 |
| Indigenous Performing Arts NL (Eastern Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Albert Jararuse (Northern Labrador) | $ 1,500 |
| Second Wave Tattoo Training Collective (various regions) | $15,000 |
| Alex Saunders (Central Labrador) | $15,000 |
The recipients for Winter 2025 are:
| Paula Acreman (Central Labrador) | $ 5,000 |
| Beatrice Clowe (Central Labrador) | $10,000 |
| Eastern Owl (Avalon Peninsula) | $14,950 |
| Denika Kelly (Western Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Kirk Lethbridge (Central Labrador) | $15,000 |
| Jordan MacDonald (Western Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Dill March (Avalon Peninsula) | $ 8,990 |
| Michael Massie (Western Newfoundland) | $14,564 |
| Tera McDonald (Eastern Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Christine Poker (Northern Labrador) | $15,000 |
| Kayla Stride (Central Newfoundland) | $ 9,950 |
| Kelsey Street (Western Newfoundland) | $15,000 |
| Melissa Tremblett (Western Newfoundland) | $14,600 |
| Noel Joe (Central Newfoundland) | $14,948 |
| Grant Wheeler (Avalon Peninsula) | $15,000 |
| Ivan J. White (Western Newfoundland) | $14,895 |
| Nelson White (Avalon Peninsula) | $15,000 |
| Jennifer Williams (Avalon Peninsula) | $15,000 |
| Blanche Winters (Northern Labrador) | $ 4,000 |
The next intake deadline is October 1, 2025.
Detailed information about the Creation Grant Program is available at artsnl2024.ca/creation.
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, multidiscipline, music, theatre, visual art, and writing.
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