Minister’s Awards for Creative Excellence in the Arts
The four winners will receive scholarships to help them pursue post-secondary studies in the creative arts.
Students can apply to one of the 4 awards:
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Award for Excellence in Visual Arts
- Award for Excellence in Performing Arts
- Award for Excellence in Digital Multimedia
- Charlie A’Court Scholarship for Excellence in Music (CASEM)
Three $1000 scholarships will be granted according to overall merit (not necessarily one each in the categories of visual arts, performing arts and digital multimedia). CASEM includes a $500 award and a mentorship with musical artist Charlie A’Court.
Music applicants can apply to only 1 award – either Charlie A’Court or Performing Arts.
In addition, up to 15 students will be selected as finalists and will each receive $100.
Who can apply
The awards are open to students who:
- are graduating from a public Nova Scotia high school in 2020
- have applied or been accepted to an arts-related post-secondary program
How it works
A jury panel will review each application for demonstrated accomplishment. Winners and finalists will be honoured at a celebration in June.
How you can apply
Prepare your application
Your application must include:
- a letter of reference from a mentor or teacher
- a cover letter explaining your artistic accomplishments and artistic extracurricular or community involvement
- a resume
- an artist’s statement (125 word maximum per statement) to accompany each piece of artistic work
- artistic works as outlined for the category you’re applying to
If the work you submit uses another artist’s work or style as inspiration, you should discuss this with your arts teacher to make sure it’s appropriate for submission. Works that are heavily borrowed from other artists may not be considered original.
Prepare your submissions
All applicants must complete the online application.
Visual Arts
Includes ceramics, computer-generated art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
Submit two original pieces of art labeled with:
- your name
- your school
- description of media (for example, “acrylic on canvas”)
- work dimensions (where applicable)
- year of completion
Frameable artwork must be unframed and no larger than 76 by 102 cm.
Sculptures must be no larger than 76 by 102 by 76 cm.
Performing Arts
Includes performance art forms such as circus, dance, improv, music, spoken word and theatre.
Submit 3 performances or excerpts in a variety of settings. Clips should be between 1 and 3 minutes long, and at least 1 must be a live performance. Post your submissions to YouTube as unlisted (not private) videos.
Digital Multimedia
Includes digital multimedia such as animation, video and intermedia.
Submit 3 works or excerpts between 1 and 5 minutes long. Post your submissions to YouTube as unlisted (not private) videos.
Charlie A’Court Scholarship for Excellence in Music (CASEM)
This award is open to musicians.
Submit 3 performances or excerpts in a variety of settings. Clips should be between 1 and 4 minutes long, and at least 1 must be a live performance. Post your submissions to YouTube as unlisted (not private) videos.