Grants continue to help Island artists

Linda Wigmore shares her script with Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie.

Playwright Linda Wigmore says receiving an arts grant gave her an extra boost to make her project come to life.

Hers was among the $50,000 in total grant funding given to 13 established and emerging Prince Edward Island artists in the spring round of arts grants; the final list is now available at www.princeedwardisland.ca/artsgrants. Wigmore plans to use her grant to develop a script that explores the experiences of women who gave their babies up for adoption.

“I usually don’t have money to pay actors who help out with reading and workshopping,” Wigmore said. “This grant allows me to focus on my writing and give honorariums to actors, while being chosen as a recipient gives me confidence in the project.”

Grant winners were selected from 70 applicants by a six-member jury from the Prince Edward Island arts community. The process is modeled on the practice followed by the Canada Council of Arts.

“We are very pleased to continue supporting Island artists,” Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie said. “These grants positively impact their projects and help make Prince Edward Island mighty by enriching the cultural offerings that are available to be enjoyed by Islanders and visitors alike.”

The next round of funding for arts grants is expected to begin this fall.

Backgrounder

Here are the successful arts grants recipients and their grant amounts.

Sirens
Creation Grant, Emerging, Music $5000

Hans Wendt
Creation Grant, Established, Visual Arts $6000

Margot Rejskind
Creation Grant, Established, Music $4500

Melissa Mullen
Creation Grant, Established, Theatre $7000

Susan Rodgers
Creation Grant, Established, Film and Media Arts $6000

Eric Broadbent
Dissemination Grant, Emerging, Interdisciplinary $2000

Linda Wigmore
Creation Grant, Emerging, Theatre $3520

Samantha Desjardin Joyce
Professional Development, Amateur, Writing and Publishing $345

Alexander Reuss
Creation Grant, Emerging, Visual Arts $4000

Jared Perry
Creation Grant, Emerging, Visual Arts $3000

Taryn Verkerk
Creation Grant, Established, Dance $6000

Ben Aitken
Creation Grant, Emerging, Music $3000

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hpsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca

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