STEPHEN WEIR'S LATEST UPDATE ON WRITING/ARTS AWARDS

 THE THREE BIG ART SHORTS (THIS MONTH)

Art Scholarship For Black Young Artists Announced

The Giller Foundation (aka the Scotiabank Giller Prize) has introduced its new Giller Mantella Scholarship, a new program aimed at supporting high school graduates across Canada who are interested in pursuing further education in creative writing and literature. The scholarship will provide $10,000 each year to three would be authors and will run for an initial three-year period.

 

The program is specifically designed to promote diversity and inclusion among Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth who aspire to enhance their post-secondary education. By offering financial aid to students who may lack access to traditional scholarships, the initiative hopes to make a meaningful impact on their academic and career pursuits. Scholarship applications will open be accepting starting in March 2024. Eligible candidates must identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized and demonstrate outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.

 

American Poet Wins Canada’s Richest Prize

Last week the annual Griffith Poetry Prize announced the 2023 winner, Best Barbarian by Roger Reeves, The US poet received C$130,000 in prize money. The other finalists were each awarded C$10,000. The Toronto prize is the world's largest international prize for a single book of poetry written in English.

The 43-year old poet currently lives and works in Austin Texas, His Best Barbarian is a collection that explores Black life in contemporary America. 

Caribbean Canadian Artist Clarke In The Running For The Huge Sobey Award

Trinidadian Canadian artist Michèle Pearson Clarke has been named as one of the five finalists for the highly prestigious 2023 Sobey Art Award in Canada. With a grand prize of $100,000, the Sobey Art Award is widely regarded as the country's most prominent accolade for contemporary visual artists. Michèle Pearson Clarke, who specializes in photography, video, and art installations, has garnered attention for her thought-provoking works. Notably, her exhibition at the Hamilton Gallery of Art received positive reviews from the Caribbean Camera. Born in Trinidad and currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Clarke continues to make significant contributions to the art world through her captivating creations.

The announcement of the five shortlisted artists for the 2023 Sobey Art Award was made on Monday, stirring anticipation within the contemporary art community. Alongside Michèle Pearson Clarke, the other finalists vying for this year's esteemed prize include Kablusiak, an Inuvialuk artist, Anahita Norouzi from Quebec, Seamus Gallagher, an Atlantic Canadian photographer, and Gabrielle L'Hirondelle Hill, a Métis sculptor and writer based in British Columbia. Each artist brings a unique perspective and innovative approach to their respective mediums. The winner of the 2023 Sobey Art Award will be unveiled in November.