Spotlight on Business & Arts NL's 2024–2025 Annual Report
As you get up and start your day today, consider this a friendly reminder to check your calendar before you head out the door (or risk falling victim to some lighthearted foolishness from family, friends and co-workers).
It's April 1st and pranks are the order of the day. However, here at Business & Arts NL, we know that partnering with the arts is no joke.
The arts bring value to our lives and communities in so many ways, including:
Sharing stories that foster empathy and understanding:
The arts encourage and help us to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes," offering a window into other people's lives and experiences and helping us better understand other perspectives in a way that nothing else can.
Sparking innovation through creative, inspired people:
The arts inspire innovation and creativity, which can open the door to new business ideas, products, and thoughtful solutions to problems.
Attracting and retaining skilled workers, top talent and visitors:
A vibrant arts and cultural scene can attract skilled workers and visitors, contributing to a stronger economy and tourism industry.
And so much more!
In 2024, we celebrated the Year of the Arts and the contributions, impact and significance of the arts and culture sector. At Business & Arts NL, we've been busy championing this sector by encouraging collaborations, strengthening connections and partnerships, and expanding capacity-building in the business and arts communities across the province. We're pleased to share our impact in our 2024–2025 Annual Report. (Click here and scroll down to download Business & Arts NL's 2024–2025 Annual Report.)
Here are a few highlights:
Brokering Services
This year, we facilitated a record number of projects, helping partners (including NL Health Services and Municipalities NL) commission public art — both large and small — source locally made corporate gifts, and develop artist residencies that engage communities. These collaborations not only enhance public spaces and bring creative energy to workplaces but also directly support the arts sector.
A student at Botwood Memorial Elementary works on a collaborative mural as part of the Our Creative Home initiative.
Brokering Services contributed $456,597 directly to the arts community in 2024. (Check out our Annual Report to learn more about our work at the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John's, the Our Creative Home initiative, and exciting new projects coming up!)
"Artwork plays a vital role in shaping the healing environment of the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre...The pieces foster a sense of calm, inspiration, and connection, helping patients feel supported in their recovery journey. By creating a warm, welcoming space, art reduces stress and promotes hope.” - Megan Tucker, Senior Systems Transformation Consultant, Mental Health and Addictions Centre, NL Health Services
Oscillate by Philippa Jones hangs in the main atrium of NL Health Services new Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John's. Photo: Business & Arts NL
(Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit
On November 7, 2024, 208 attendees from the arts, film, marketing, architecture, technology, public, and education sectors gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s for the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit, featuring thought-provoking keynotes (including Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at the Walt Disney Company), interactive experiences with artists-in-residence, and engaging discussions.
Daniel Rumbolt and Amber-Lynn Thorne engaged participants in “(Net)working,” an interactive installation where attendees painted ceramic capelin, contributing to a growing collaborative art piece symbolizing community and connection.
Building on this momentum, we’re excited to announce another Summit on November 4, 2025. Sign up for our newsletter here and stay tuned for details!
“The atmosphere was vibrant and collaborative, with a palpable sense of enthusiasm and openness. It was a space where ideas flowed freely, and every attendee seemed engaged and eager to connect. I have never been to an event this engaging and vibrant.” - Ammar Faruqui, event attendee
Duncan Wardle addresses the crowd at the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit at the Sheraton Hotel.
Building Capacity Within the Arts
Our capacity-building initiatives harness the expertise and generosity of the business community to empower artists and arts organizations with robust business practices, fostering sustainable growth within the arts sector. Our cornerstone programs include: Business Workshops for Artists, Business Volunteers for the Arts, and the Grow to Lead Mentorship Program.
"Business & Arts NL was instrumental in helping us get set up as a non-for-profit organization. They connected us to advice on the process and to two excellent volunteers who ended up becoming board members. We had our articles of incorporation reviewed by a lawyer through the Business Volunteers for the Arts program and have received valuable feedback that we would not have been able to get on our own as a new start-up." - Florian Hoefner and Jim Vivian, artistic directors, Atlantic Jazz Nights
Our work doesn’t stop there. Click here to check out our complete Annual Report to see what else we've been up to and learn more about our wide range of programs that connect artists and businesses, foster creative growth, and strengthen our communities.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our members, sponsors, funders and partners, volunteers and board for helping make 2024 such an incredible year!
To learn more about local opportunities to partner with the arts, click here to contact us. Interested in joining Business & Arts NL? Click here to learn more about membership options.