RBC Foundation and Nova Scotia Talent Trust are collaborating to launch the new RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award.
The new $2,500 Special Award will be presented annually to a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color who shows exceptional commitment and professional potential as an artist. Preference will be given to emerging artists in the areas of film, visual arts and music. The 2021 award winner will be announced at the virtual Special Awards Ceremony on December 12, at 2 p.m.“The arts play a critical role in building vibrant communities and strong economies. But despite their incredibly hard work, many artists – and especially those from BIPOC communities – find it hard to reach broader, diverse audiences, which can sometimes hold back their careers,” said Michelle Clare, Regional Vice President, RBC Metro Halifax. “That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with the Nova Scotia Talent Trust to support emerging artists as they advance on their career journey, with the goal of helping them receive national recognition.”
RBC’s $15,000 donation is divided among three initiatives: $2,500 to the new RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award, $2,500 to the existing RBC Emerging Artists Award and $10,000 to the Talent Trust Scholarship Program.
“We are thrilled about the new RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award – it is the first of its kind for the Talent Trust and something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. Not only will the support help the recipients lessen the monetary burden of their studies, but it also reaffirms their hard work to become established artists in their discipline. We thank RBC Foundation for their continued support and for believing in our Nova Scotia artists,” states NSTT Executive Director Jacqueline Steudler.
The Talent Trust and RBC Foundation’s partnership dates back to 1944 when the Talent Trust was founded. RBC has supported the Talent Trust scholarship program since 2009 and established its first Emerging Artists Program with the Talent Trust in 2012.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 88,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
About Nova Scotia Talent Trust
Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. In 2019, the Talent Trust celebrated its 75th anniversary year featuring former scholarship recipients with a travelling art exhibition, pop-up events in theatre, music, dance, film screenings and more.