Welcome Susan Hanrahan and Michelle Lahey to the Talent Trust Board of Directors

The Nova Scotia Talent Trust Annual General Meeting was held on May 30, 2022.  It was wonderful to come together to reflect on the 2021-22 fiscal year, and NSTT's 77th year serving the arts community! 

The successes, growth, and support the Talent Trust offers to Nova Scotia's emerging artists wouldn't happen without the support of our Board of Directors.  They volunteer their time and expertise each year to ensure the Talent Trust meets its mission and goals.  We warmly welcome Susan Hanrahan and Michelle Lahey to our Board of Directors.

Susan Hanrahan recently retired after working 33 years with Craft Nova Scotia, 26 of them as the organization’s Executive Director. In that role, Susan worked to provide Nova Scotian craftspeople opportunities to participate in exhibitions, art fairs, trade shows, educational and best-practices missions, conferences, and partnerships with craft organizations and events both here and across Canada, the USA, and Europe. Susan was a founding member of Craft Alliance Atlantic Association, and was heavily involved with the Canadian Crafts Federation, Arts Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Cultural Network, and the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia. 

“The right support at the right time can make a huge difference to an artist’s career. Not only does the Nova Scotia Talent Trust contribute financial assistance through scholarships and awards, it also provides the critical validation and encouragement so necessary to the growth and development of all artists. For more than 75 years, the NSTT has made significant contributions to the well-being of our provincial cultural community. I am honoured to serve on the NSTT Board as it continues this vital work.” - Susan Hanrahan

Michelle Lahey is an instructor in Cape Breton University's School of Arts and Social Science. She also serves on a number of boards including: Talbot House and the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design. She regularly volunteers for the Free Legal Clinic located at the Sydney courthouse.  Michelle obtained her B.A. from Cape Breton University, and received her LL.B., and B.C.L. from McGill University in 2017. After graduating, Michelle articled with a regional firm in Nova Scotia, until she was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 2018. In April 2019, Michelle joined the Sydney law office of LaFosse MacLeod.

"The Nova Scotia Talent Trust's mission is integral in ensuring the continued vibrancy of Nova Scotia's arts community. By supporting emerging artists with important financial assistance, the Trust directly impacts the province's cultural landscape and fosters the growth of its creative industries. I am delighted to help advance this vital work as a board member." - Michelle Lahey

Once again, welcome to Susan and Michelle.  And a thank you to our returning Board members: Adrian Hoffman (Acting Chair), Victoria Hines (Vice Chair), Natalie Wells, (Treasurer), Breagh MacKinnon (Secretary), Pamela Ritchie (Development Committee Chair), and Wallace Smith Jr.  Your commitment and dedication to the Talent Trust is very appreciated by all.  

You can find the full roster of our NSTT board on our website. 

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Team Talent Trust Success at the Bluenose Marathon!

What an amazing experience for Team Talent Trust this past weekend at the Bluenose Marathon! 

 

Thanks to the hard work of the Team Talent Trust walkers/runners a total of $4678.62 was raised!

 

Thank you to everyone who supported Team Talent Trust. Your support provides scholarships to young artists when they need them the most. 

 

Team Talent Trust Members:

• Catilyn Dwyer, NSTT supporter
• Natalie Wells, NSTT Treasurer
• Victoria Hines, NSTT Acting Chair
• Andrew Son, NSTT scholarship recipient
• Andrea Urquhart, Executive Director
• Jacqueline Steudler, Former ED & NSTT supporter
  

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Curtis Botham: Residency and Exhibitions

Visual Artist and former Talent Trust scholarship recipient, Curtis Botham, has been busy creating!

Curtis is one of two Artists in Residence at the Chester Art Centre. As part of the residency there will be an Artist in Residence Exhibition, which runs from June 8 - 15, 2022. The residency and exhibition is being shared between Curtis and textile artist Elise Campbell. 

Artist Statement (from the Chester Art Centre website) 

While in Chester, I’ll depict the local fishing/aquaculture industry, as part of a larger project I’m working on throughout 2022. I’ll avoid touristy, picturesque depictions, aiming instead for a documentary-style representation of the realities of commercial fishing. I hope to give viewers a fresh understanding and appreciation for the processes of fishers/aquaculturists, and how they shape their communities. My Chester project will culminate in a series of charcoal artworks on exhibition. I plan on connecting with the Chester Heritage Society, locals working in the industry, and conservation groups in order to facilitate an honest depiction of this quintessential Maritime industry.  

Curtis also had two pieces purchased by the Nova Scotia Art Bank in 2020 + 2021. Both pieces were made during his first Artist in Residency in New Glasgow (Sept. 2017 to Sept. 2018). The Art Bank is having an exhibition of the last two years' purchases at the Yarmouth Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and one of his drawings (Clear-Cut Forest) will be included in the show. The 2020 and 2021 Art Bank Purchase Exhibition opens Saturday, May 14, 2022. There will be an in-person reception/celebration on Thursday, May 26, 2022. 

 

Curtis also supports the Talent Trust though the $1,000 Curtis Botham Scholarship. This scholarship will be presented in 2022 to a Talent Trust visual arts applicant, studying at NSCAD University in fine arts (drawing and painting), working towards a Bachelor's degree or doing one of NSCAD's residency programs.  

 

Botham was the winner of the Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/VANS Award in 2017 and the 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award in 2018.

 

 

Join Team Talent Trust in the Bluenose Marathon Charity Challenge May 20-22, 2022! Click here to join or donate! 

 

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter. 

 

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! (smile)

 

Talent Trust Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarships — Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I know if I'm eligible for a Talent Trust scholarship? 

Visit our Eligibility page for the list of criteria.

What kind of study programs does the Talent Trust support?

• University arts programs
• College arts programs (like NSCC)
• Programs in film, dance, theatre, music, literary arts, visual arts, or circus arts offered by private institutions
• Private studies with one teacher
• Summer classes in the arts
• Summer festival study opportunities
• Mentorships
• Artist residencies
• If you’re considering a study program not on this list, please let us know so we can assess its eligibility. 
  (We don’t fund the Verbier Music Festival Orchestra summer placement because it is free.)

Do you support arts teacher training?  

No. We don’t provide scholarships for teacher training programs. 

Do you support art therapy training?

No. We don’t provide scholarships for art therapy training programs. 

Do the application requirements change from year to year?

Possibly. We regularly review our application requirements, so they could change from one year to the next.

Tip: Review the General Application Guidelines and support material requirements for your discipline before you begin your application. You can find all updated files at nstalenttrust.ns.ca/Scholarships/Support-Material/

I study with a private teacher. What do I need for my application? 

Collect all the information required in the General Application Guidelines (page 2). See our General Application Guidelines for details.

Combine all the information from your teacher in one PDF file before adding it to your application. 

Late submissions of private teacher information will not be accepted. 

Tip: Get in touch with your teacher at least a month before the deadline. 

What browser should I use to submit my application?
Our system is built to work best with Chrome. Note: Microsoft's Internet Explorer is out of date and will not work with our system.

How long does it take to complete the online application?
According to our latest survey, plan on spending an hour or more to complete the application process. If you have all your information before you begin, you may be able to shorten that time.

Tip: Plan ahead. Carefully review all the application and support material requirements before you begin.

Do I have to complete the application at once? Can I start today and finish it tomorrow? 

The system is able to save everything so you can work on your application a little at a time. 

Tip 1: Use Chrome as your browser for best results. 

Tip 2: If you have any technical problems let us know right away.

How much can I ask for in my Budget?

Our scholarships are between $800 - $4000. You can only ask for a portion of your study expenses.

How many video links can I attach to my application?  

One video link. Combine your videos into one file. Your video index needs to indicate at what time each piece starts and ends, e.g.  introduction 0:00 – 0:32, first music piece title 0:32 – 2:58 etc

Tip: In addition to the video index in your application, add the start time of each piece in the video information section on YouTube. Don't change the video link until the end of the application year.

I don’t want anyone to see my application video. What can I do? 

On YouTube you can set the video to unlisted. Only people with the link can see it. Do not make the video private. If you do, we won’t be able to view it. 

I’m a visual artist. Can I upload separate images of my work? 

No. You need to upload a portfolio in PDF format containing all your images and the information of each image. 

Tips: 
Use high quality photos (no large files); no frames should show (crop if necessary), only your artwork is important

Your images should be 72 dpi for your digital portfolio (300 dpi is only required for printing)

Each page should contain a single image of your work and its description (10 images = 10 pages)

Keep it simple! (maximum file size is 8 MB)

What happens after I submit my application?  

Our staff will look through your application to make sure all required files are attached and your links work. If we see anything that could be improved, we’ll send you an email and ask you to send an updated version by email.

When your application is complete, you will receive a confirmation email that also contains the date when you will be contacted with your application results. 

Be patient: our staff will get in touch with you as soon as possible. 

Tip: The earlier you apply, the more time you will have to improve your application. 

I made a mistake in my application and only noticed after I pressed submit. What can I do? 

Email our staff at scholarship(at)nstalenttrust.ns.ca and let us know right away. We can adjust your application for you. 

Do not try to update your application yourself! The system will create duplicates which will make it difficult for us to know which version is the correct one. 

Tips: 
Start your application process early so you have enough time to thoroughly review it. 

Save your application and read through it a day or two later to catch any small errors. Then submit it.

COVID-19 adjustments in 2022

Given the importance of maintaining social/physical distancing, and possible self-isolation for some, we understand that meeting some of the application requirements for the Spring/Summer scholarship deadline will not be possible. For example, it may not be possible to record your videos in a studio/theatre or to have someone accompany you for your piece. 

Please know we will be understanding of these limitations and will welcome modifications (filming in your living room, solo performances rather than being accompanied, etc.). Please do your best to meet the requirements that are within your control. (side note: Always hold your camera horizontal so that the Scholarship Selection Committee members can see you fully.)

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! (smile)

Scholarship Applications for May 1 Deadline Now Accepted

Applications are now being accepted for Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarships for studies between September 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023. The deadline is May 1 at 5 p.m. ADT. Learn more here.

Apply early so that we can help you improve your application and avoid last minute technical problems.

We advise applicants to read the submission guidelines  carefully and to submit applications early since there are a number of changes for film, music, visual arts, dance, circus arts, literary arts, and theatre this year.

Please let the studying artists in your life know about our scholarship program.

For questions about scholarships and applications please get in touch with our Scholarship Program Coordinator Jackie Dowling at scholarship(at)nstalenttrust.ns.ca. 

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter.

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! (smile)

The World of Yousuf Karsh: A Private Essence

Portia White's connection to the Talent Trust runs deep. In 1944, members of the Halifax Ladies Club, along with voice teacher Dr. Ernesto Vinci, successfully advocated the city of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia for unparalleled financial support towards her studies in New York. Portia White ascended to become one of the best singers of the 20th century. The Talent Trust, with the help of the Dalhousie Music in Medicine HEALS Program, supports her legacy through the Portia White Award for a Nova Scotia voice student. You can lean more about the Portia White/Talent Trust connection here.

Running March 12 - October 16, 2022 the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is hosting a special exhibition featuring the work of famed photographer Yousuf Karsh, the photographer of the iconic Portia White image many recognize today.

You can learn more about The World of Yousuf Karsh: A Private Essence exhibit here.

 

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotia artists? Donate today!

 

Excel Garay solo exhibition: Gaba o Buyag, I will always hide many things from you

Join Talent Trust scholarship recipient Excel Garay for their solo exhibition, Gaba o Buyag, I will always hide many things from you, at the Anna Leonowens Gallery, February 15 - 19, 2022. 

Excel was the winner of the 2021 RBC BIPOC Emerging Artist Award.

About the exhibit: 

Through tones of ultramarine blue, Garay paints plastic ready-mades, found objects, and immersive installations alongside paintings to summon the invisible hauntings that support the Global North. In Gaba o Buyag, I will always hide many things from you, they wish to explore themes of melodrama, baroque excess, hauntology, fugitivity, time, and invisible labor through a transnational queer necropolitical lens. ‘Ultramarine’ originated from the Latin term ultramarinus, which means ‘from beyond the seas’. It references the heavily extracted mineral called Lapis Lazuli, which is known to decorate the body of the Virgin Mary during the Renaissance period.

About Excel Garay:

Excel Garay is a Filipina Canadian diasporic settler occupying Mi'kma’ki territory in K’jipuktuk, Eskikewa’kik (Halifax, Nova Scotia). They work as a curator, expanded-media painter, and cultural worker. Garay is interested in contradictions that lead subjects, like them, into complicity and complacency. These materially manifest through paintings, ready-made objects, immersive installations and more. Their interest lies in the prismatic unseen contradictions and incommensurable situations while focusing on themes of fugitivity, time, and labor. Hauntology and melodrama under a queer necropolitical lens foregrounds their practice.

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today!  (smile)

Nova Scotia Talent Trust announces new Curtis Botham Scholarship

The new $1,000 Curtis Botham Scholarship will be presented in 2022 to Talent Trust visual arts applicant, studying at NSCAD University in fine arts (drawing and painting), working towards a Bachelor's degree or doing one of NSCAD's residency programs.

Botham states: "My first scholarship from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust marked the beginning of an extremely transformative time in my life, where I realized that the awards, grants and residencies that I was too intimidated to apply for were actually within my reach; that it was possible to make a living as an artist with the support of organizations like the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, Arts Nova Scotia and others. After I graduated from NSCAD University, I saw a lot of very talented artists who I fervently believe could get grants as well, but feel similar to how I did--that those things are only for highly accomplished, very traditional artists. For me, it was that first scholarship that showed me that I, along with many other artists, could do it. That art of all media and techniques were routinely given support. And this year, five years after graduating, I find myself in a position where I can finally give back, and hopefully light that ambitious spark in another artist. That's why I specified that my scholarship go towards an artist with relatively few accomplishments under their belt, while showing an untapped potential deserving of recognition. I hope it can offer the same encouragement that I needed to get started on a career as a professional artist."

Botham was the winner of the Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/VANS Award in 2017 and the 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award in 2018.

"Nova Scotia Talent Trust is incredibly grateful for the generous gift from former scholarship recipient Curtis Botham.  This scholarship will not only provide financial support for an emerging artist, but also a vote of confidence as they pursue their dreams.  It is wonderful to see the impact the scholarship had on Curtis' journey to become a professional artist, and truly inspirational to see him pay it forward to another emerging artist.  Thank you, Curtis!", states Andrea Urquhart, Executive Director NSTT.

About Curtis Botham
Curtis Botham graduated from NSCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2017. Since then, he has won numerous grants and awards, including in 2018 the 2011 Canada Games Young Artists of Excellence Award and in 2017 the Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/VANS Award both through the Talent Trust, plus grants from Arts Nova Scotia and the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation.  
His artwork has been displayed in numerous galleries around Nova Scotia, as well as published in numerous journals and magazines, and some of his drawings are part of the permanent collection of the Nova Scotia Art Bank. 
In 2022, he plans on creating large-scale drawings focusing on Nova Scotia’s fishing industry and the people who work in it. 

To inquire about purchasing any of the displayed work, contact: ctbotham@gmail.com; More of his artwork can be seen at: curtisbotham.weebly.com.

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! 

2022 Talent Trust Scholarship Application Deadlines Announced

We’re pleased to announce we are ready to receive new scholarship applications for 2022.

The deadline for scholarship applications for Spring/Summer studies is fast approaching!

The scholarship application process will again happen online.

We advise applicants to read the submission guidelines carefully and to submit applications early since there are a number of changes for film, music, visual arts, dance, circus arts, literary arts, and theatre this year.

Scholarship application deadlines are:

• Spring/Summer study: 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
  March 1, 2022 (for studies between May 1 and August 31, 2022)

• Fall/Winter study: 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Saving Time (ADT)
  May 1, 2022 (for studies between September 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023)

For more information, visit nstalenttrust.ca or get in touch by email with our Scholarship Program Coordinator Jackie Dowling at scholarship@nstalenttrust.ns.ca

Please help us spread the word: If you know a Nova Scotian student that is studying in the arts, let them know about this opportunity and our March 1 and May 1 deadlines.

Want to hear more about the Talent Trust? Please sign up for our newsletter.

Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotian artists? Donate today! (smile)

Curtis Botham Exhibition: Flattening the Curve

 

Join visual artist and past Talent Trust scholarship recipient Curtis Botham for his exhibition entitled "Flattening the Curve". It will deal with the social isolation and other changes to our lives brought about by the COVID pandemic. The exhibition will take place between January 5 and January 30, 2022 (Visual Arts Nova Scotia's Corridor Gallery at 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax)

Curtis Botham graduated from NSCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2017. Since then, he has won numerous grants and awards, including in 2018 the 2011 Canada Games Young Artists of Excellence Award and in 2017 the Charlotte Wilson-Hammond/VANS Award both through the Talent Trust, plus grants from Arts Nova Scotia and the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation.  

His artwork has been displayed in numerous galleries around Nova Scotia, as well as published in numerous journals and magazines, and some of his drawings are part of the permanent collection of the Nova Scotia Art Bank. 

In 2022, he plans on creating large-scale drawings focusing on Nova Scotia’s fishing industry and the people who work in it.  

To inquire about purchasing any of the displayed work, contact: ctbotham@gmail.com

More of his artwork can be seen at: curtisbotham.weebly.com. 

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Want to support the next generation of Nova Scotia artists? Donate today!