Premier’s Medal for Contributions to the Arts

Guidelines

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador established the Premier’s Medal for Contributions to the Arts to recognize outstanding and invaluable contributions of artists, arts organizations, volunteers, and enterprises in creating, nurturing, and developing our rich cultural mosaic. 

A strong cultural identity lies at the foundation of a society’s ability to prosper, grow, and adapt to the world around us. In a place where culture is so profoundly part of daily life, art is essential to the documentation, reflection, and development of our culture and in fostering a vibrant, sustainable, and creative society. It is also no surprise that arguably our most recognized national and international exports come from the cultural sector.

This annual award will recognize the fundamental role that Artistic activities play in quality of life and ongoing well-being of our residents, as well as the vitality and economic prosperity of our communities and the province.

Who is eligible?

Individuals or Groups who have made significant contributions to the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador including:

  • Professional artists (individual or ensemble) as defined in section 5 of the Status of the Artist Act (https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/s24-1.htm#5)
  • Professional arts organizations
  • Arts sector volunteers
  • Patrons of the arts
  • Community organizations
  • Enterprises whose primary business supports the cultural sector in Newfoundland and Labrador (e.g. music studios, art galleries, dance schools)
  • Committees or other groups, including enterprises, that have made a significant contribution to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nominees may be a current or former long-term resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, or a non-resident that has made a significant contribution to the arts, in the past year or over a number of years, benefiting the province and its residents in an outstanding manner
  • Posthumous nominations are accepted
  • Nominations of individuals from or groups representing equity-deserving communities (for example, persons who identify as Indigenous, racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+, and/or a person with a disability) are encouraged

The following persons are not eligible for nomination:

  • Currently serving public officials including judges, members of the Senate, House of Commons, House of Assembly or a legislative assembly of a province or territory.
  • Current executive of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation
  • Current employees of the Arts and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation, The Rooms Corporation, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Foundation
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted

How do I nominate?

Nomination forms can be found here: Nomination Form

  • Nominators must secure permission of the nominee to submit nomination, except where the nominee is deceased; if the nominee is deceased, the nominator is advised to seek permission the nominee’s appropriate living relatives
  • Nominators need to provide a statement indicating reasons the nominee’s contributions to the arts are worthy of the medal
  • Nominators must seek at least one letter of support, from an additional person with knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments, outlining evidence of the nominee’s contributions to the arts

Nomination Deadline

The deadline for nomination for a 2025 Premier’s Medal for Contributions to the Arts is Friday, September 19, 2025. 

Nominations are accepted year-round but must be submitted before the deadline to be considered for the current award cycle. All submissions received will remain active for three consecutive award cycles. Nominators may update the nominee’s file on an annual basis, prior to each year’s deadline. 

Evaluation Criteria

The selection committee for the Premier’s Medal for Contributions to the Arts will look for clear evidence that nominees have contributed in one or more of the following areas:

  • Commitment and leadership to the arts sector
  • Innovative practices
  • Achievements at the community, provincial, national, and/or international level
  • Social and/or economic impact of contributions at community, provincial, national, and/or international level 

Who Can Nominate?

  • Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador with a permanent physical address in the province can nominate an individual or group for the medal
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted
  • Current executive of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation, and current employees of the Arts and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation may not submit a nomination.

What do recipients receive?

The Premier will invite recipients to be honoured for their achievement at a presentation ceremony. At the ceremony, the Premier will present each recipient with a medal, lapel pin and a signed certificate.

How Do I Submit a Nomination?

Nominations can be sent by email or by mail.

Submitting by email:

Email submissions must be sent to PremiersMedalArts@gov.nl.ca on or before Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Email submissions must be in one of the following file formats: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff, .tif, .xps.  The total file size cannot exceed 20MB. After submitting the nomination, you will receive a confirmation email.

Submitting by mail:

If you chose to submit a nomination by mail, please ensure your envelope is postmarked by the deadline date and sent to the following address:

Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
Arts and Heritage Division
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

Can the Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation be declined, returned or revoked?
An individual or group may decline a medal, in writing, prior to receipt. A recipient may return a medal by giving written notice to the Premier’s Office. The Premier may revoke a medal if a recipient’s qualifications are found to have been misrepresented, or if a recipient’s public conduct is deemed to be unbecoming to a recipient of a Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage or Sports and Recreation.

Additional Information:
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Arts and Heritage Division by phone at (709) 729-7446 or email at PremiersMedalArts@gov.nl.ca.

Alternate Formats:
Alternate formats are available upon request.
Please contact tcar@gov.nl.ca or (709) 729-7000.