The New Brunswick Arts Board is an arm’s length arts funding agency with a legislated mandate to facilitate and promote the creation of art as well as administering funding programs for professional artists in the province.
On Tuesday October 12, artsnb announced the 2021 laureates for the Lieutenant-Gorvernor’s High Achievement in the Arts.
Sandra Le Couteur, Daniel H. Dugas, and Mathieu Léger, will receive their award and be celebrated at a gala taking place at the Lieutenant-Governor’s residence. In preparation for the gala, we have conducted studio visits with the three laureates to produce three videos featuring each of the laureates.
The videos will be premiered at the Lieutenant-Governor’s Awards gala, and we are beyond excited to share these videos with you! Among the questions that we asked the laureates during the interview, we asked them:
SANDRA LE COUTEUR | 2021 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for High Achievement in Performing Arts
I would tell them to have passion above all. It’s a job that requires a lot of work because many are called but few are chosen. You need determination. Don’t wait for someone to knock on the door, you have to knock yourself. To be equipped especially, to take singing lessons, scenic workshops, to listen to opinions other than the family circle and the entourage. Have patience and take criticism.
DANIEL H. DUGAS | 2021 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for High Achievement in French Language Literary Arts
I like the verb “to emerge”, “to come out of”, “to see the day”, “to show oneself clearly”. For those who emerge, there is first of all oxygen, then energy. My advice would be to give this energy its rightful place, but also to take care of it, to give it the chance to revitalize itself and to do what needs to be done without being influenced by successes or failures.
MATHIEU LÉGER | 2021 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for High Achievement in Visual Arts
I would say to emerging artists: take the decision about if you want to be an artist or not, don’t romance it. Then do it no matter what. There is no recipe, there are infinite ways of doing it, you just have to have conviction. I usually share the quote by Gordon Matta-Clark: “Here is what we have to offer you… confusion guided by a clear sense of purpose.” That pretty well sums it up. Also, Richard Serra said once: “Work comes out of work.” The more work you make, the more you will want to make, projects generate more projects. Don’t just plant one seed…
You want to learn more about this year’s laureates? While you wait for the videos release you can read more about each one of them HERE.
