RBC Foundation creates new RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award

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.

The RBC Emerging BIPOC Artist Award and RBC Emerging Artist Award will be given to Talent Trust scholarship recipients of that given year, selected by the Scholarship Selection Committee comprised of twelve professional artists.


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.  

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Letitia Fraser Shows Her Proud Paintings at MSVU Art Gallery

Winner of the NSTT’s 2018 RBC Emerging Artist Award Letitia Fraser shows her paintings at our 75th Anniversary partner organization, the MSVU Art Gallery, with work curated by Laura Ritchie. 

Photo and Bio from https://www.newscotlandblack.com/

Exhibition runs

Sept 14 - Nov 3

Opening Reception: 

Saturday, September 14, 
2 p.m.

MSVU Art Gallery
166 Bedford Highway

As described by the MSVU Art Gallery, this exhibition showcases a selection of works by Halifax painter and recent NSCAD graduate, Letitia Fraser. A proud descendant of North Preston, Letitia weaves faces from her life into textiles, both literal and figurative. Her recent accolades throughout Nova Scotia are many and this project allows a closer look at and meditation on her intimate work. 

Artist Bio:

Letitia Fraser is a figurative artist born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia. Letitia is a proud descendant of North Preston. Coming from a long line of Artists. Her artistic interest was shown early in life. Her interest matured during her high school years driving her desire to continue to NSCAD, where she is a recent graduate.

​Her art work has been featured in exhibits at the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia, the Freedom Festival Art Exhibit coordinated by the African Nova Scotian Music Association; and several exhibits by the Black Artist Network of Nova Scotia (2014-2017). In 2011 she illustrated images for “The Journey Continues; An Atlantic Canada Black experience.” Written by Craig M. Smith.

In 2018 Letitia had the opportunity to have her art work published alongside other women in Understorey Magazines 12th issue dedicated to African Nova Scotian Women. In 2018, she received the Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship and the 2018 RBC Emerging Artist Award from Nova Scotia Talent Trust.

​In February of 2019 Letitia was featured on the cover of The Coast, and interviewed by CBC for her first solo, graduate exhibition Mommay's Patches, at the Anna Leonowens Gallery, where her piece "Rested" was currently on display in the Graduation exhibition, Along the Way.


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