Grade 12 Students Awarded Scholarships for Excellence in Creative Arts

The creativity and skill of senior high school students from across Nova Scotia was showcased today, June 17, at the Minister’s Awards for Creative Excellence in the Arts.

“Getting the opportunity to study music at St. Francis Xavier University is a dream come true,” said Caito MacDonald, recipient of the Award for Excellence in Digital Multimedia and the Charlie A’Court Scholarship for Excellence in Music. “I want to keep exploring my passion and learn as much as possible.”

Mr. MacDonald is a student from Prince Andrew High School in Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Centre for Education. The digital multimedia scholarship is valued at $1,000 and the music scholarship, at $500. The music award also includes a mentorship opportunity with musician Charlie A’Court.

“Congratulations to the participants in this year’s awards and today’s event,” said Rafah DiConstanzo, MLA for Clayton Park West, on behalf of Zach Churchill, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “Education in the arts provides valuable experience and helps our young people develop new skills.”

The event, at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax, featured Grade 12 students who want to pursue post-secondary studies in the creative arts. The awards included four scholarships for excellence in visual arts, performing arts, digital multimedia and music. The other winners are:

• Ryan MacDougall, Charles P. Allen High School, Bedford, Halifax Regional Centre for Education, $1,000 – Award for Excellence in Performing Arts
• Mackenzie Massey, Charles P. Allen High School, $1,000 - Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Award for Excellence in Visual Arts

There are also five runners-up and nine finalists from across the province. Runners-up will each receive $200 and the finalists will each receive $100.

“My goal for the future is to play music in a professional orchestra,” said Breton Hickey, recipient of the 2018 Award for Excellence in Performing Arts and graduate of Glace Bay High School, Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education. “The award made it possible for me to take the next steps toward this goal by allowing me to study music performance at the university of my choice.”

The province partnered with the art gallery and Mr. A’Court on the awards.

For more information visit https://novascotia.ca/creativeaward/ .