The 20th annual Creative Nova Scotia Awards were presented Sunday evening in Halifax, honouring outstanding artistic achievement across the province. The event, held at the Lord Nelson Hotel and produced by live art company HEIST with theatre artists Zuppa as hosts, highlighted notable accomplishments within Nova Scotia’s creative community. The awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.

The top distinction, the Portia White Prize, was awarded to musician and producer Joel Plaskett for his three decades of contributions to Nova Scotia’s cultural life. The prize provides $18,000 to the recipient and includes a $7,000 protégé prize, which Plaskett awarded to Crescendo Fest, a new festival dedicated to showcasing Black music artists.

Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Dave Ritcey noted that the artists recognized this year continue to enrich communities and strengthen the province’s cultural identity.

This year’s recipients collectively received $75,000 in prizes. Additional honourees included:

•Black Artist Recognition Award – Aquakultre (Lance Sampson), a Halifax rapper, songwriter and storyteller whose third album, 1783, is set for release in February.
•Indigenous Artist Recognition Award – Morgan Toney, a JUNO nominated Mi’kmaw fiddler and singer.
•Creative Community Impact Award – Le Conseil des Arts de Chéticamp, recognized for its dedication to preserving Acadian language and culture through inclusive programming.
•Established Artist Recognition Award – Christopher Webb, a multidisciplinary visual artist, and Solomon Nagler, a filmmaker, poet and community activist.
•Emerging Artist Recognition Award – Nicola Miller (saxophonist and composer), Leah Johnston (filmmaker), and Vivian Zhou (cartoonist and illustrator).
•Prix Grand-Pré – Yvette d’Entremont, a singer songwriter, playwright, producer, documentarian and educator.

Source: Government of Nova Scotia