Spotlight on GivingTuesday
Today is GivingTuesday and for just over a decade now, the world’s largest generosity movement has been inspiring people to give back in myriad ways. The sentiment behind the day is simple: Everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts. Whether it’s brightening someone’s day by making them laugh or smile, helping your neighbour with a task, helping someone carry their groceries, or donating some money to a cause you care about, there are lots of ways to give back.
Last year, Canadians donated over $50 million online during GivingTuesday, helping many worthy causes across the country.
As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season kicks in, we’re considering all the ways in which the arts helps illuminate and add magic to this special time of year, whether it’s through an inspiring story, a stunning piece of visual art, a beautiful piece of music or a dazzling performance that inspires and brings family and friends closer together.
For many local arts organizations (many of which are still working hard to bounce back after the pandemic) charitable donations are crucial to their operations. If you value the arts, or the arts have contributed something meaningful to your life, GivingTuesday presents a great opportunity to give back and support this work.
Here are just a few local arts organizations to which you can lend your support.
Gros Morne Theatre Festival’s “As Loved Our Fathers.” Photo: PB Productions
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador
Operating out of the Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts in Cow Head, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador (TNL) is a non-for-profit, charitable organization that’s dedicated to creating and producing professional theatre for, and about, the people of the province. Through the Gros Morne Theatre Festival (which employs about 40 people annually including actors, technicians, designers, directors, box office and kitchen staff), youth programming, courses in theatre instruction, and by touring their productions to rural, outport communities, TNL is helping spread the joy of theatre to all ages across the province.
Tara Curtis and Andrew Love star as “Hannah” in Opera on the Avalon’s "As One.” Photo: Amanda Best Photography 2018
Opera on the Avalon
With the world premiere of “February” this past October (based on Lisa Moore’s award-winning novel, which looks at several families whose lives were forever changed by the Ocean Ranger disaster), Opera on the Avalon (OOTA) continues to share our stories and show the powerful impact of music and live theatre.
Now in their 15th year, OOTA also supports both established and up-and-coming artists, laying the groundwork for opera to flourish in the province for years to come through innovative programming, new productions, and through initiatives like their Young Artist Program (which provides mentorship and training with industry leaders, professional performance opportunities, financial support and more).
Supporting this charitable organization helps them commission new pieces and bring fresh stories and voices to the stage.
Rotary Arts Centre
Located in Corner Brook, the Rotary Arts Centre provides opportunities and spaces for emerging and professional artists to work, grow and flourish. Through events like film screenings, book launches, concerts, workshops and exhibitions, the not-for-profit organization also brings people together to experience the arts and explore and grow their own passions.
A donation to the Rotary Arts Centre helps ensure a vibrant and thriving arts community on the west coast of the province.
Click here (scroll down near the bottom) to support the Rotary Arts Centre.
A Young Artist trio performs at the finale of the 2022 Tuckamore Festival. Photo: Ritche Perez.
Tuckamore Festival
For over 20 years, the Tuckamore Festival’s two-week chamber music series, featuring world-class musicians, has been drawing music lovers from around the province and beyond, helping grow a love and appreciation for chamber music. Through their Young Artists Programs, the festival also provides mentorship opportunities for emerging musicians and composers, supporting the next generation of performers by giving them the chance to learn from the very best.
Supporting the Tuckamore Festival helps them continue to support young artists, offer free enrichment programming, and provide a memorable musical experience in St. John’s each summer.
Daunt Lee and Dave Penny are joined by other local musicians (back, L-R: Heather Patey, Jean Hewson (obscured), Ellen Power, Jamie Moran, Madison Mouland and Jane Dennison) at The Rooms for the launch of the Musical Map of NL.
Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation
A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional music, dance and storytelling arts of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation sprung from the Vinland Music Camp in Gros Morne in 2001. Since that time, Sounbone has been engaged in a number of initiatives, including Community Choirs, Arts for All, the Musical Map of Newfoundland and Labrador, and other projects. The organization also provides performance opportunities and instruction for all ages though workshops, concerts and other events, helping pass the traditional torch to the next generation.
Click here to support the work of the Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation.
The LSPU Hall in downtown St. John's.
Resource Centre for the Arts/LSPU Hall
Operating out of the historic LSPU Hall (formerly the Longshoremen’s Protective Union), Resource Centre for the Arts (RCA) has been fostering the development and showcasing of Newfoundland and Labrador art and artists since 1979. The list of local artists who have come through their doors, and who have gone on to prominent careers, is extensive and includes Mary Walsh, Rick Mercer, Cathy Jones, Andy Jones, Bob Joy, Ron Hynes, Mark Critch, Robert Chafe, Jillian Keiley and many more.
Supporting this charitable, non-for-profit organization helps them continue to produce live performance and support the next generation of talented artists in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2019, Lori McCarthy of Cod Sounds hosted a workshop in Twillingate as part of the Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival.
Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival
Established in 2015, Unscripted Twillingate is the first digital arts festival in Atlantic Canada. Managed by the not-for-profit Grow Twillingate Inc., the event takes place every September and includes four days of workshops, artist talks, music, food, and inspiration around every nook, cranny and cove. Participants can also soak in inspiration during the digital art exhibit, which includes photography, installations, videos and multimedia from local and visiting artists.
Click here to donate to the Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival.
A screening and panel at the 2018 SJIWFF.
St. John's International Women's Film Festival
Established in 1989, the St. John's International Women's Film Festival (SJIWFF) has become one of the province’s largest and most anticipated cultural events of the year. Much more than film screenings, the festival also includes panels with industry leaders, workshops, mentorship and professional development opportunities, and more to help foster the development and advancement of women and gender-diverse filmmakers (helping achieve balanced representation in the industry). The festival also offers year-round programming, like Films On the Go (to share films with new audiences around the province) and FRAMED Filmmaking Camps (to help encourage, support and train people in the craft and business of filmmaking).
As the longest-running women’s film festival in the country, and as a not-for-profit charity, donor support is essential to making the festival happen each year.
Click here to support the St. John's International Women's Film Festival.
There are many organizations worthy of support. Here are some of our other members with active donor/support pages.
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society
Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Winterset in Summer Literary Festival
Thank you for your support and for considering our local arts community on this GivingTuesday!