The Portia White Prize is the largest prize of its type awarded by the Province of Nova Scotia and is named for Portia White, a Nova Scotian artist who rose through adversity to achieve international acclaim as a classical singer on the stages of Europe and North America. Although Portia White began her career teaching in Africville, she eventually turned her energy to developing her enormous musical talent. Portia White became a world-renowned contralto through much hard work and dedication and the financial support of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, a charitable organization created in 1944 by the Halifax Ladies Music Club, the music community and the Province. Upon retiring from the stage, Ms. White devoted her time to teaching and coaching young singers. Her achievements continue to instill a sense of pride in the African Nova Scotian community and stand as a model to all Nova Scotians.
Background and funding The purpose of the Portia White Prize is to recognize cultural and artistic excellence on the part of a Nova Scotian artist who has attained professional status, mastery and recognition in their discipline. To enable the province of Nova Scotia to promote excellence in the arts by honouring an outstanding Nova Scotian artist who has made a significant contribution to the province’s cultural life.
The primary recipient, who is an established artist, either born in Nova Scotia or resident in the province for at least the past four years, will receive $18,000 and a certificate of recognition.
A secondary recipient, also called the "protégé", who is an emerging Nova Scotian artist or a Nova Scotian cultural organization selected by the primary recipient, will receive $7,000 and a certificate of recognition.
Recipients YearRecipientNotes / References2025Joel PlaskettMusician and producer 2024Alan SyliboyMi'kmaw artist 2023Juanita PetersDirector and actress2022Cyndi CainSoul musician2021Catherine Anne MartinDocumentary filmmaker2020Afua CooperPoet and historian 2019John LittleBlacksmith and sculptor2018Ronald BourgeoisSongwriter2017Susan Gibson GarveyCurator and educator2016Jerry GranelliJazz musician2015Walter KempChoral conductor2014Scott MacmillanComposer and guitarist2013Laurie SwimTextile artist2012Thom FitzgeraldFilmmaker2011James MacSwainCollagist and filmmaker 2010Mary Jane LamondGaelic musician 2009Mary VingoeTheatre director 2008Walter OstromCeramicist 2007Joleen GordonCraft historian2006Wayne BoucherAbstract painter 2005Walter BordenPoet and actor2004Jim MorrowPuppeteer and artistic director2003Charlotte Wilson-HammondVisual artist2002Sylvia HamiltonFilmmaker and writer2001Alistair MacLeodNovelist and short story writer2000Garry KennedyConceptual artist1999Georg TintnerConductor1998George Elliott ClarkePoet and playwright
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