Spotlight on Business & Arts NL: Patron of the Arts

Written By Business & Arts NL Projects

Since 2011, Business & Arts NL has been working to champion and empower the local creative sector by acting as a conduit — encouraging businesses, individuals and organizations to get involved with and support arts and culture.

We do this by connecting skilled volunteers to the sector through our Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA) program, Business Workshops for Artists and our Grow to Lead mentorship program, and by helping foster connections through things like purchases (via our Local Holiday Gift Guide), commissions, gigs, residencies and other opportunities.

In short, the arts are at the very heart of our work — work which we wouldn't be able to accomplish without the support of our wonderful arts and business members, who believe in the power of creativity and what we can achieve when we fully embrace it.

That's why we're thrilled to be the recipient of this year's Patron of the Arts Award from ArtsNL.

Two woman, the one on the left wearing a blue collard blouse and black jacket, and the one on the right wearing a blue blazer, both smile at the camera as they shake hands, with the woman on the left handing the one on the right an award.

Amy Henderson, Executive Director of Business & Arts NL (right), accepts the Patron of the Arts Award from Andrea Barbour, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation on December 9 at Government House in St. John’s.

Announced on December 9 during the 40th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Awards at Government House in St. John's, the award recognizes a person, business or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovative, community, or sustained support of artistic activity. (Click here to read the news release from ArtsNL and learn about the other award recipients: The Ennis Sisters (Hall of Honour Award), Nelson White (Artist Achievement Award), Sherry Crowley (Arts in Education Award), Matt Perrier (Emerging Artist Award) and Melissa Tremblett (Artist of the Year Award.)

“The recipients of the arts awards are selected by their peers and represent the highest honour, recognition and respect from those who understand the unique challenges, as well as the dedication involved in an artist’s journey,” said Melanie Martin, Executive Director of ArtsNL. “Their work enriches our communities, strengthens our cultural life, and continues to inspire audiences at home and beyond.”

Two men and five women stand together and smile in front of a white Christmas chair with a black staircase in the background. Also behind them are large windows, through which buildings can be seen.

Business & Arts NL’s Executive Director Amy Henderson (fourth from left) joins members of Business & Arts NL’s board of directors (from left) David Bradley, Noreen Golfman (Business & Arts NL Co-chair), David Hood, Amy House, Tauna Staniland and Karen Skinner.

Amy Henderson, Executive Director of Business & Arts NL, was on hand to accept the award and shared that Business & Arts NL reached a significant milestone this year, exceeding $1.35 million in gigs, commissions and opportunities brokered between the arts and business communities.

Henderson says she's thankful to ArtsNL for acknowledging and celebrating this accomplishment “and for all they do to help build a strong, vibrant and sustainable arts and culture sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

A group of people stand inside an exhibit space and look at a brightly decorated blue car, featuring floral patterns and candles blowing in the wind.

The Genesis GV70 Art Car, designed by local artist Katie Hardy, was unveiled on June 6, 2025. This marked the third collaboration between Business & Arts NL and Capital Auto Group on the Art Cars initiative.

Business & Arts NL, she adds, “only succeeds when community partners work with us to support our work and engage with the arts community, and so none of what we accomplish would be possible without these community partners we have helped engage with the arts this year.”

Those include:

Capital Auto Group
Centre for Social Enterprise — Memorial University 
Corporate Connections Canada
Genesis Centre
initio law clinic
Keen Payroll
Kildare Renovations
Municipalities NL
Mysa
NL Association of CBDCs
NL Health Services
Office of Public Engagement — Memorial University
Roebothan McKay Marshall
Saunders Collins & Loeb Law
Solace Power
Sonia Byrne Strategic Planning
St. John's International Airport
St. John's Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
The Wharf
Town of Burnt Islands
Town of Cartwright
Town of Gaultois
Town of Stephenville
Trinity Bay North

A man in a dark shirt speaks from a podium to a seated crowd. Behind him are stand-up banners from M5 the Agency, Genoa Design International, Gardiner Centre and Business & Arts NL.

Renowned architect Todd Saunders speaks to the crowd during the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit on November 4 at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s.

We're honoured to receive the Patron of the Arts Award and send our gratitude to all those we've worked with who have helped make it possible!

Business & Arts NL Projects
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