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How to Submit Your Work to the 2025 Arts and Letters Awards Program in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Comprehensive Guide for Canadian Artists

The 2025 Arts and Letters Awards Program, hosted by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, is an esteemed competition that celebrates the creative talents of individuals across various artistic disciplines. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to prepare and submit your work for the program, whether you are a young artist in the Junior Division or a seasoned creator in the Senior Division. By following this guide, you can ensure that your submission is complete, adheres to the guidelines, and stands the best chance of being recognized in this prestigious competition.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Before beginning your submission, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria:

• Original Work: Your submission must be an original piece created solely by you within the last 12 months.
• No Previous Awards: The work must not have won any public competitions.
• No Public Presentation: The work should not be published, exhibited, or presented publicly, including on social media, before April 18, 2025.
• First-Time Submission: The work must not have been previously submitted to the Arts and Letters Awards Program.
• Parental Consent: If you are under 18 years old, ensure you have parental or guardian consent to submit your work.

Failure to meet these conditions will result in disqualification.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Division and Section

The program is divided into three age-based divisions:

1. Junior Division (15 years and under)
2. Junior Division (16-20 years)
3. Senior Division (21 years and over)

Additionally, submissions can be made in the following sections:

• Literary: Includes Poetry, Short Fiction (max. 5,000 words), Nonfiction (max. 5,000 words), and Dramatic Script.
• Visual Arts: Includes works created with various mediums and materials.
• Music: Includes compositions with specific genres and techniques, and may require a recording.
• Digital Multimedia: Includes digital media pieces, which may involve multimedia elements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Submission

Depending on your chosen section, you will need to prepare your submission according to specific guidelines:

• Literary Submissions: Prepare your manuscript (poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, or dramatic script) ensuring it adheres to the word count limits.
• Visual Arts: Complete your artwork, noting the medium, materials used, and dimensions.
• Music: Finalize your composition, record it if required, and specify the genre, duration, and instrumentation.
• Digital Multimedia: Prepare your digital piece, ensuring it meets the program’s technical requirements.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

Fill out the application form with the following details:

• Contact Information: Provide your name, preferred pronouns, address, email, and phone number(s).
• Date of Birth: Required if you are under 21 years old.
• Adjudicator Comments: Indicate whether you would like to receive feedback from the adjudicator.

For each section you are entering, complete the relevant fields:

• Literary: Title, word count, and genre.
• Visual Arts: Title, medium/materials used, and dimensions.
• Music: Title, genre, duration, recording techniques, and instrumentation.
• Digital Multimedia: Title and duration.

Step 5: Submit Your Work Digitally

All submissions must be sent digitally according to the following guidelines:

• Accepted Formats: PDF, TIFF, JPEG, MP3, and MP4.
• File Transfer for Large Files: Use WeTransfer for large visual art and media arts submissions.
• Email Submissions: Do not use Dropbox, Google Docs, or zip drives. Submit a separate form and email for each category.
• Email Subject Line: Clearly indicate the section and division, e.g., "Visual, Senior; Music, Junior 16-20."
• Attachment Titles: Label each attachment appropriately, e.g., "Application Form, Poetry, Music, Visual."
• Submission Email: Send all submissions to artsandletters@gov.nl.ca.

Step 6: Confirm Acceptance of Conditions

By submitting your work, you agree to the following conditions:

• Exhibition of Winning Entries: Winning and selected entries in the Visual Arts, Literary, Music, and Media Arts sections may be included in an exhibition at The Rooms, St. John’s, from April 19 to May 18, 2025.
• Final Submissions: Once submitted, your work is final. While you may withdraw your work at any time, no corrections or revisions are allowed post-submission.

Step 7: Submit and Keep Records

After submitting your work:

• Retain a Copy: Keep a copy of all submissions and confirmation emails for your records.
• Follow Up: If you do not receive confirmation of your submission, follow up with the Arts and Letters Awards Program team.

Troubleshooting Tips

• File Format Issues: Ensure your submission files are in the correct format. If you encounter issues, consider converting files to the appropriate format using online tools.
• Submission Deadline: The deadline is strict. Submit your work before the deadline on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to avoid disqualification.
• Technical Difficulties: If you experience technical issues during submission, contact artsandletters@gov.nl.ca well before the deadline.

FAQ Section

Q: Can I submit more than one entry in the Literary section?
A: No, only one entry is permitted in the Literary section.

Q: How do I know if my work was successfully submitted?
A: You should receive a confirmation email upon successful submission. If you do not, contact the program team.

Q: Can I withdraw my submission after sending it?
A: Yes, you may withdraw your work from the competition at any time, but no corrections or revisions will be accepted after submission.

Q: Are group submissions allowed?
A: No, all works must be completed solely by the entrant.