Please note the deadline for nominations for the Premier’s Medals for Arts and Heritage has been extended to March 6, 2024 at 11:59pm NST
The Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation acknowledge the fundamental role arts, heritage, sports and recreation activities play in our quality of life, sense of cultural belonging and ongoing well-being of our residents, as well as the vitality and economic prosperity of our communities and the province.
Up to two medals in each category will be awarded annually to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of individuals, organizations, volunteers, and enterprises supporting these sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador over the past year, or over a number of years.
Any individual who has contributed significantly to arts, heritage or sports and recreation, benefiting the province and its residents in an outstanding manner, may be nominated for a medal. Posthumous nominations will be accepted for individuals.
Any organization, committee, group or enterprise that is presently or formerly based primarily in Newfoundland and Labrador is eligible for nomination for the medal. While individuals may be highlighted in the application, medals will be awarded to the organization, committee or group.
In special recognition of Year of the Arts and the 75th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Confederation with Canada, up to ten (10) Premier’s Medals for Arts and up to ten (10) Premier’s Medals for Heritage will be awarded in 2024.
Inaugural Premier’s Medals for Sports and Recreation will be awarded beginning in 2025 to coincide with the province hosting the 2025 Canada Games.
If you know of a person or group who has made an outstanding contribution to these sectors, you should consider nominating them.
At a formal ceremony, the Premier, will present recipients with a medal and lapel pin. Recipients will also receive a certificate. Ceremony dates and details may change from event to event, but will be announced in advance.
For more information:
Premier’s Medal for Arts
Premier’s Medal for Heritage
Premier’s Medal for Sports and Recreation
Nomination Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can nominate a person to receive a Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage or Sports and Recreation?
Nominations can be submitted by anyone who has knowledge of a person or group deserving of consideration to receive a Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage or Sports and Recreation.
The only exceptions are select public service employees. Current executive of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation, and current employees of the Arts and Heritage and Recreation and Sport Divisions of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation may not submit a nomination.
Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Are all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians eligible for the Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation?
Yes. The only exceptions are currently serving public officials and select public service employees.
Public officials who may not be nominated while in office include judges, members of the Senate, House of Commons, House of Assembly or a legislative assembly of a province or territory, and members of municipal, town, regional councils or local service district committees.
Current executive of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation and current employees of the Arts and Heritage and Recreation and Sport Divisions of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation, The Rooms Corporation, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, he Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Foundation, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre may not be nominated.
- Can groups or organizations be nominated?
Yes, arts, heritage, sports and recreation organizations or community organizations, committees, groups, teams and enterprises can be nominated.
- Can citizens of other provinces or countries receive a Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation?
Yes. Citizens of other provinces or countries are eligible. They may be considered for significant contribution to arts, heritage or sports and recreation if it has benefited, in an outstanding manner, Newfoundland and Labrador and its residents.
- Can someone be nominated posthumously?
Yes. Both living and deceased persons can be nominated.
- What happens when a person receives a Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage or Sports and Recreation?
The Premier invites the recipient to be honoured for their achievement at a presentation ceremony. At the ceremony, the Premier will present each recipient with their medal and a lapel pin. Recipients will also receive a certificate.
- Can the Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation be declined, returned or revoked?
Yes. A person or group may decline a medal, in writing, prior to receipt. A recipient may return a medal by giving written notice the Premier’s Office. The Premier may revoke a medal if a recipient’s qualifications are found to have been misrepresented, or if a recipient’s public conduct is deemed to be unbecoming to a recipient of a Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage or Sports and Recreation
- Is there an annual deadline for nominations?
There is a deadline for nominations that is set annually and publicly communicated. However, nominations may be received at any time during the year and all submissions received will remain active for three consecutive award cycles. Nominators may update the nominee’s file on an annual basis, prior to each year’s deadline.
- Where can I obtain further information?
Further information can be obtained from:
Premier’s Medal for Sports and Recreation
or by contacting the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:
by telephone
Arts and Heritage (709) 729-3842
Sports and Recreation (709) 729-5281
by e-mail:
Arts PremiersMedalArts@gov.nl.ca
Heritage PremiersMedalHeritage@gov.nl.ca
Sports and Recreation PremiersMedalSportsRec@gov.nl.ca
Premier’s Medal for Arts
A strong cultural identity lies at the foundation of a society’s ability to prosper, grow, and adapt to the world around us. In a place where culture is so profoundly part of daily life, art is essential to the documentation, reflection and development of our culture and in fostering a vibrant, sustainable, and creative society. It is also no surprise that arguably our most recognized national and international exports come from the cultural sector.
Artistic activities play a fundamental role in quality of life and ongoing well-being of our residents, as well as the vitality and economic prosperity of our communities and the province.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador created the Premier’s Medal for Arts to recognize outstanding and invaluable contributions of artists, arts organizations, volunteers, and enterprises in creating, nurturing, and developing our rich cultural mosaic.
Who is eligible?
- Professional artists (individual or ensemble) as defined in section 5 of the Status of the Artist Act (https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/s24-1.htm#5_)
- Professional arts organizations
- Arts sector volunteers
- Patrons of the arts
- Community organizations
- Enterprises whose primary business supports the cultural sector in Newfoundland and Labrador (e.g. music studios, art galleries, dance schools)
- Committees or other groups, including enterprises, that have made a significant contribution to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nominees may be a current or former long-term resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, or a non-resident that has made a significant contribution to the arts, in the past year or over a number of years, benefiting the province and its residents in an outstanding manner
- Posthumous nominations are accepted
- Nominations of individuals from or groups representing equity-deserving communities (for example, persons who identify as Indigenous, racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+, and/or a person with a disability) are encouraged
The following persons are not eligible for nomination:
- Currently serving public officials including judges, members of the Senate, House of Commons, House of Assembly or a legislative assembly of a province or territory, and members of municipal, town, regional councils or local service district committees are not eligible for nomination
- Current executive of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation
- Current employees of the Arts and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation, The Rooms Corporation, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Foundation are not eligible for nomination
How do I nominate?
- Nomination forms can be found here: Nomination Form
- Nominators must secure permission of the nominee to submit nomination, except where the nominee is deceased; if the nominee is deceased, the nominator is advised to seek permission the nominee’s appropriate living relatives
- Nominators need to provide a one-page statement indicating reasons the nominee’s contributions to the arts are worthy of the medal
- Nominators must seek at least one letter of support, from an additional person with knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments, outlining evidence of the nominee’s contributions to the arts
Nomination Deadline
The deadline for nomination for a 2024 Premier’s Medal for Arts is Wednesday March 6, 2024.
Nominations are accepted year-round, but must be submitted before the deadline to be considered for the current award cycle. All submissions received will remain active for three consecutive award cycles. Nominators may update the nominee’s file on an annual basis, prior to each year’s deadline.
Evaluation Criteria
The selection committee for the Premier’s Medal for Arts will look for clear evidence that nominees have contributed in one or more of the following areas:
- Commitment and leadership to the arts sector
- Innovative practices
- Achievements at the community, provincial, national, and/or international level
- Social and/or economic impact of contributions at community, provincial, national, and/or international level
Who Can Nominate?
- Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador with a permanent physical address in the province can nominate an individual or organization for the medal
- Self-nominations will not be accepted
Current executive of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation, and current employees of the Arts and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation may not submit a nomination.
What do recipients receive?
The Premier will present each recipient with their medal and a lapel pin at a ceremony. Recipients will also receive a certificate.
Submitting Nominations
Nominations can be sent by email or by letter mail:
Submitting by email:
Email submissions must be sent to PremiersMedalArts@gov.nl.ca by the deadline date.
Email submissions must be in one of the following file formats: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff, .tif, .xps. The total file size cannot exceed 20MB. After submitting the nomination, you will receive a confirmation email.
Submitting by mail:
If you chose to submit a nomination by mail, make sure your envelope is postmarked by the deadline date and sent to the following address:
Premier’s Medal for Arts
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
Arts and Heritage Division
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
All promotional materials and the Premier’s Medal for Arts ceremony will be fully accessible.
Premier’s Medal for Heritage
A strong cultural identity lies at the foundation of a society’s ability to prosper, grow, and adapt to the world around us. Our heritage resources are foundational to cultural development and fostering a sense of cultural belonging in a vibrant and sustainable society. It is also no surprise that some of our most nationally and internationally recognized landmarks, structures, and traditions come from the province’s heritage sector.
Heritage and heritage traditions play a fundamental role in quality of life and ongoing wellness of our residents, as well as the vitality and economic prosperity of our communities and the province.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador created the Premier’s Medal for Heritage to recognize outstanding and invaluable contributions of heritage practitioners, heritage organizations, volunteers, and enterprises in creating, nurturing, and developing our rich cultural mosaic. This contribution could be from the past year or over a number of years.
Who is eligible?
- Heritage practitioners
- Knowledge keepers and tradition bearers
- Heritage organizations
- Community organizations
- Heritage sector volunteers
- Enterprises and individuals that support the heritage sector in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nominees may be a current or former long-term resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, or a non-resident that has made a significant contribution to the arts, in the past year or over a number of years, benefiting the province and its residents in an outstanding manner
- Posthumous nominations are accepted
- Nominations of individuals from or groups representing equity-deserving communities (for example, persons who identify as Indigenous, racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+, and/or a person with a disability) are encouraged
The following persons are not eligible for nomination:
- Currently serving public officials including judges, members of the Senate, House of Commons, House of Assembly or a legislative assembly of a province or territory, and members of municipal, town, regional councils or local service district committees are not eligible for nomination
- Current executive of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation
- Current employees of the Arts and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation, The Rooms Corporation, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Foundation are not eligible for nomination
How do I nominate?
- Nomination forms can be found here: Nomination Form
- Nominators must secure permission of the nominee to submit nomination, except where the nominee is deceased; if the nominee is deceased, the nominator is advised to seek permission the nominee’s appropriate living relatives
- Nominators need to provide a one-page statement indicating reasons the nominee’s contributions to the arts are worthy of the medal
- Nominators must seek at least one letter of support, from an additional person with direct knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments, outlining evidence of the nominee’s contributions to heritage
Nomination Deadline
The deadline for nomination for a 2024 Premier’s Medal for Heritage is Wednesday March 6, 2024.
Nominations are accepted year-round, but must be submitted before the deadline to be considered for the current award cycle. All submissions received will remain active for three consecutive award cycles. Nominators may update the nominee’s file on an annual basis, prior to each year’s deadline.
Evaluation Criteria
In selecting medal recipients, the selection committee for the Premier’s Medal for Heritage will look for clear evidence that nominees have contributed in one or more of the following areas:
- Commitment and leadership to the heritage sector
- Innovative practices
- Achievements at the community, provincial, national, and/or international level
- Social and/or economic impact of contributions at community, provincial, national, and/or international level
Who Can Nominate?
- Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador with a permanent physical address in the province can nominate an individual or organization for the medal.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Current executive of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation, and current employees of the Arts and Heritage Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation may not submit a nomination.
What do recipients receive?
The Premier will present each recipient with their medal and a lapel pin at a ceremony. Recipients will also receive a certificate.
Submitting by email:
Email submissions must be sent to PremiersMedalHeritage@gov.nl.ca by the deadline date.
Email submissions must be in one of the following file formats: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff, .tif, .xps. The total file size cannot exceed 20MB. After submitting the nomination, you will receive a confirmation email.
Submitting by mail:
If you chose to submit a nomination by mail, make sure your envelope is postmarked by the deadline date and sent to the following address:
Premier’s Medal for Heritage
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
Arts and Heritage Division
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
All promotional materials and the Premier’s Medal for Heritage ceremony will be fully accessible.
Premier’s Medal for Sports and Recreation
Nominations for the Premier’s Medal for Sports and Recreation will open in 2025. Please check back for details at that time.
Inquiries may be directed to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Recreation and Sport Division by phone (709) 729-5281 or by e-mail PremiersMedalSportsRec@gov.nl.ca.