At Business & Arts NL, we've been busy championing the arts 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.

When the Genesis Centre was seeking a unique prize for their latest Pitch & Pick event, they knew exactly where to turn - the local arts community.

Enlisting the help of local artist and metalworker Ian Gillies, Genesis presented its first place winner with a one-of-a-kind trophy that perfectly exemplifies the resilience and endurance of the local startup landscape.

Read more in our Spotlight!

If you attended our (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit back in November, you might've noticed someone frantically sketching throughout the day. That individual was artist Elijah Martel.

In our Spotlight, we chat with Elijah to learn more about their work, the power of storytelling through illustration, and how the art of live illustration can add a fresh perspective while connecting people to an experience.

Want to develop a strategic plan, but don't know where to start? We're thrilled to have Sonia Byrne of Sonia Byrne & Associates lead a free, online strategic planning workshop with us on March 19, where she'll walk participants through the steps to develop a strategic plan, the benefits and challenges of collaborative planning, and more.

Check out our Q&A with Sonia in our Spotlight to learn more!

Public art can take many forms and is found in many places, including places of worship, where it adds to the feelings of peace, calm, community and beauty that imbues the space. Thanks to a partnership between the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and local visual artist Dominique Hurley, visitors will have a chance to soak in more of those sentiments.

Our towns and cities are the home of our art and culture. Now, thanks to the work of Inuk visual artist Monika (Dee-Jay) Rumbolt and the Our Creative Home initiative, there's a new piece of public art to enjoy in the town of Cartwright. Learn more in our Spotlight!

Every individual has the capacity to participate in, enjoy or create art. But sometimes, there are barriers to accessing the arts, based on any number of factors. Through their Arts for All initiative, the Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation is sharing the message that the arts are for everyone.

On November 7, Business & Arts NL was proud to host its biggest event yet, the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit, in St. John's. Featuring inspiring keynote speakers, artists-in-residence and opportunities to connect with members of the community, it was a day filled with inspiration, creativity and connection.

Check out our Spotlight as we look back!

Between our (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit, the launch of the Our Creative Home initiative and the 2024 Local Holiday Gift Guide, and other initiatives, the past year has been a busy one for Business & Arts NL, filled with inspiring moments, stimulating conversations and wonderful collaborations. And of course, there were plenty of partnerships between the local arts and business communities to highlight too.

Here's a recap of some of our most popular Spotlights from 2024.

Bright lights, fun Christmas cards from friends and family, yummy home-baked treats and delicious hot drinks. All these things encapsulate the warm, fuzzy feeling of the holiday season.

This year, we're thrilled to have had Katie Hardy, a St. John's-based graphic designer and multidisciplinary artist, capture the sentiment through her bright and lively illustrations, which you'll see sprinkled throughout our 2024 Local Holiday Gift Guide.

Check out our Q&A with Katie to learn more about her and her work.

If you operate or work with an arts-based business or non-profit, you likely have a lot of digital clutter. Interested in applying your creative skills to create a digital "home" for these important materials to help better manage your business/organization? Join our free, online workshop (“DIY Digital Solutions for Arts & Non-profits”) on December 4 with Andy Farnsworth of Morning Strategy and learn how!

Check out our Q&A with Andy to learn more!

In 2021, we created our charitable organization, Engaging Community and Arts NL (ECANL), to support artists and arts organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador through initiatives like the Business Workshops for Artists program. In our Spotlight, find out how your support is helping empower artists and build a thriving cultural sector that uplifts us all.