Portia White Prize
Encyclopedia
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.http://www.gov.ns.ca/tch/pubs/portiawhiteprize_description.pdf
Purpose of the Portia White Prize
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.http://www.gov.ns.ca/tch/pubs/portiawhiteprize_description.pdf
The Prize
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
2010 Mary Jane Lamond
2009 Mary Vingoe
2008 Walter Ostrom
2007 Joleen Gordon
2006 Wayne Boucher
2005 Walter Borden
2004 Jim Morrow
2003 Charlotte Wilson-Hammond
2002 Sylvia Hamilton
2001 Alistair MacLeod
2000 Garry Kennedy
1999 Georg Tintner
1998 George Elliott Clarke
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and is named for Portia White
Portia White
Portia May White , was a singer who achieved international fame because of her voice and stage presence. As a Black Canadian, her popularity helped to open previously closed doors for talented blacks who followed....
, 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.http://www.gov.ns.ca/tch/pubs/portiawhiteprize_description.pdf
Purpose of the Portia White Prize
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.http://www.gov.ns.ca/tch/pubs/portiawhiteprize_description.pdf
The Prize
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
2010 Mary Jane Lamond
Mary Jane Lamond
Mary Jane Lamond is a Canadian celtic folk musician who performs traditional Canadian Gaelic folk songs from Cape Breton Island. She was born in 1960 in Kingston, Ontario, graduated from Westmount High School in Montreal and then the Celtic Studies program at St...
2009 Mary Vingoe
2008 Walter Ostrom
Walter Ostrom
Walter Ostrom C.M. is an influential ceramic artist who has revived and modernized the making of low-fired tin-glazed pottery in Canada. He was born in Binghamton NY and is a graduate of Ohio University...
2007 Joleen Gordon
2006 Wayne Boucher
2005 Walter Borden
Walter Borden
Walter Borden is a Canadian actor, poet and playwright. Borden was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the African Nova Scotia Music Association Music Heritage Award, and the Portia White Prize, which is awarded annually by the Nova Scotia Arts Council to someone who has made a...
2004 Jim Morrow
2003 Charlotte Wilson-Hammond
2002 Sylvia Hamilton
2001 Alistair MacLeod
Alistair MacLeod
Alistair MacLeod, OC is a noted Canadian author and retired professor of English at the University of Windsor.- Academic career :...
2000 Garry Kennedy
Garry Kennedy
Garry Neill Kennedy, CM is a Canadian conceptual artist living in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Kennedy studied at the Ontario College of Art, the University at Buffalo and the University of Ohio. In 1967, at the age of 32, he was appointed president of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, the...
1999 Georg Tintner
1998 George Elliott Clarke
George Elliott Clarke
George Elliott Clarke, OC is a Canadian poet and playwright. His work largely explores and chronicles the experience and history of the Black Canadian community of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, creating a cultural geography that Clarke refers to as "Africadia".-Life:Born to William and Geraldine...