Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS (October 17, 2023) – The Nova Scotia Talent Trust (NSTT) today announced a legacy bequest to the organization of $2.8 million from the late Judith Grant.
Judith Grant
The Trust was formed in 1944 to support soprano Portia White in her musical studies, and since then, has awarded over $2.5 million dollars to more than 1,000 gifted Nova Scotians, studying in the fields of dance, music, theatre, literary, visual, media and circus arts.
This is the largest donation ever received by the Talent Trust in its almost 80-year history.
Speaking at the announcement, Board Chair Victoria Hines noted that the money was earmarked for Nova Scotian studying music within Atlantic Canada and will provide income in perpetuity for music scholarships. She added that “Although Judith’s transformational gift is meant for emerging musicians, going forward we’ll also be able to help other artistic disciplines to a greater degree, since now we can increase scholarships overall.”
Jennifer King
The event took place at the Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts, co-hosted by internationally acclaimed soprano Jane Archibald and award-winning pianist Jennifer King, both former NSTT recipients. Musical performances were provided by other Trust award winners: rapper Kye Clayton, cellist India Gailey, pianist Devin Huang and Dane Pedersen (vocals/acoustic guitar).
Arts patron Judith Grant was born in 1926 and grew up in Bedford. She studied the cello at the Maritimes Conservatory and in Toronto. She was a concertgoer and donor to many organizations, including Scotia Festival of Music, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra and the Maritime Conservatory. Judith died in 2022 in Halifax.
About the Nova Scotia Talent Trust
Fueling the dreams of emerging artists since 1944
The NSTT’s mandate is to provide scholarships and special awards to talented Nova Scotians in the formative stages of their artistic development in all disciplines. The Trust was established through incorporation in 1944 to support the development of soprano Portia White; it is now an independent institution governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. NSTT has awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships and special awards to over 1,000 Nova Scotians. Notable past recipients include organist John Grew, photographer Sherman Hines, cellist Denise Djokic, soprano/conductor Barbara Hannigan and dancer Sara Coffin. Learn more at nstalenttrust.ns.ca.
More information on new scholarships will be announced in the coming months.
