ArtsNL announces funding for ArtsSmarts and School Touring Program

ArtsNL awarded $319,794 to support arts education through the ArtsSmarts and School Touring Programs across Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2024-25 school year. The Department of Education, through the Cultural Connections Program, provides $200,000 toward these programs annually; however, in 2024-25, it provided a one-time, additional $75,000 investment for these initiatives.

A sum of $50,000 was also received from an anonymous donor to support arts in education for youth. This combined investment not only expanded opportunities for students to engage with professional artists and experience high-quality artistic performances in their schools but also allowed for increasing artists’ fees and paying national standards for their work.

The initiatives are also supported through a partnership with Equinor through its $20,000 investment for programming and the Equinor ArtsSmarts Scholarship.