15 May 2008 - Masterworks Arts Awards

Nominations Open for Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia's
Masterworks Arts Awards

The Nova Scotia Masterworks Awards Foundation invites nominations for the 2008 Lieutenant Governor's Arts Award.  All forms of contemporary arts and cultural activity, with a strong connection to Nova Scotia, are eligible. 

In noting the call for nominations, Her Honour the Honourable Mayann E. Francis, O.N.S. said "The award showcases art that informs, entertains and challenges. All the things great art should do and must do."

Ronald Bourgeois, Chair of the Foundation, noted that at $25,000, the prize ranks with top Canadian cultural awards, having the same monetary value as the Governor General's Arts Awards.  He went on to say: "I am honoured and excited as Chair of the Nova Scotia Masterworks Foundation to see the Award enter its third year.  Since its inception the Masterwork Award has recognized exceptional works by inspiring artists.   I look forward to this year's nominations.  I wish to thank all those who will nominate works and encourage the arts community to take advantage of the great opportunity that is the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Award."

In the two years since its inception, the Lieutenant Governor's Arts Awards have celebrated a diverse range of contemporary art.  Last year, Glynis Humphrey won for her video installation "Breathing Under Water".  In 2006, the award went to "Le Petit Cercle", an outdoor children's theatre, created by Ted Cavanaugh, Richard Kroeker, Roger Mullin, and Alden Neufeld of Dalhousie University's School of Architecture with 23 designer-builders from the community of Cheticamp. 

To be considered for the 2008 awards, nominations must be postmarked on or before July 15, 2008.  A complete description of criteria, and the nomination form for the $25,000 prize, are available from the website at www.nsmasterworks.ca.   

The Nova Scotia Masterworks Awards Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of The Craig Foundation, the Province of Nova Scotia, and premier sponsor Scotiabank.  Senior Vice-President, John Oliver said today, "Scotiabank believes that arts and cultural programs pull together community members in a positive way; by sharing the talents of diverse groups, by supporting the development of individual artists and by giving the public a greater appreciation of different cultural perspectives around them.  We are proud to be involved in the 2008 award and to celebrate the richness of arts and culture."

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For further information:                                                                                                                    
Jenny Baechler
(902) 229-3837