Celebrating Excellence in Arts Education

Since 2002, the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) arts education program has contributed over $140,000, providing support and encouragement for young artists in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Each year, the QAC awards six bursaries to graduating secondary school students who are pursuing further education in the arts at a university or college in Canada. 

This year, the prestigious Elaine A. Small Bursary has been awarded to Christopher Virtue, a talented graduate from Quinte Christian High School. Christopher has shown exceptional dedication to both music and writing, and his passion for the arts is truly inspiring.

Elaine A. Small, the namesake of this bursary, was a renowned author and singer, celebrated as one of Canada’s best supper club performers during the mid-1960s. Her career spanned decades, and she recently gained recognition for her award-winning book, Priests in the Attic, a candid memoir set in Toronto during the ’60s and ’70s. Elaine’s musical memories were deeply intertwined with the Great American Songbook, which inspired her throughout her life. We extend our heartfelt thanks to her spouse, Richard Haeberlin, for sponsoring this bursary.

Christopher Virtue, our deserving bursary recipient, shares his passion for music and writing. He says, “I’ll be pursuing a double major in Music Performance and English Writing at Redeemer University in Hamilton. It is my goal to become a music teacher and inspire my students the same way I’ve been inspired.”

Virtue is also the recipient of the Susan Richarson bursary. Richardson (passed away on May 21st, 2015) was a well-respected member of the Belleville Choral Society for 39 years, including 15 years as the Music Director. She was also a well-known organist and recipient of a Quinte Arts Council’s Arts Recognition Award and provincial Arts and Culture Award.

Elizabeth “Austin” Mascarenhas: A recent graduate of Nicholson Catholic College, Mascarenhas received a $1,000 bursary from the QAC. She is passionate about self-discovery and empowering others through art. Mascarenhas plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in studio art, followed by a teaching degree, with the goal of becoming a secondary school arts teacher.

Eva McComb: Another graduate of Nicholson Catholic College, McComb was awarded the Hugh P. O’Neil Bursary. McComb has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to the arts. She is inspired by her mother, a teacher, and aims to nurture and help others through her profession.

About Hugh P. O’Neil: Hugh P. O’Neil (July 10, 1936 – September 14, 2015) was a respected politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1975 to 1995 and held various cabinet positions in the government of David Peterson. Hugh was a passionate advocate for the arts, both provincially and locally, and his legacy continues to inspire and support young artists in our community.

Sarah “Jade” Belley: Jade, a graduate of Bayside Secondary School, received both the QAC Graduating Bursary and the Hugh P. O’Neil Bursary. Belley is committed to making a positive environmental impact through her art and plans to share her journey and dedication with Seneca Polytechnic.

Supporting the Arts

The Quinte Arts Council’s bursary program is a testament to the importance of supporting young artists as they embark on their educational journeys. These bursaries not only provide financial assistance but also recognize the hard work and dedication of students who are passionate about the arts.

Attention, art lovers! The funding for some bursaries, like the Susan Richardson Bursary, has expired. You can make a difference by donating to the Quinte Arts Council to support the next generation of artists. Let’s keep the arts thriving! 

Join us in celebrating these remarkable students and their achievements. Congratulations to all the recipients, and best of luck in your future endeavours!

 

Lily Chapman 2023 Elaine A. Small Bursary Recipient:

Last year, I was the recipient of the Elaine A. Small Bursary. The Quinte Arts Council’s bursaries are an incredible thing. It helped me access post-secondary education at Queen’s University. I am thankful for the Quinte Arts Council.

This past year has been full of musical joy and adventure. Being able to attend university for the arts has allowed me to challenge myself and achieve things I didn’t know I could. I had the opportunity to perform at the beautiful Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts multiple times this past year and watched over a dozen concerts. My experience this year has been beneficial to me and has completely solidified my desire to become both a performer and a teacher. It is incredible that the Quinte Arts Council has these supports available for students. The arts are so important to everyone. I wish good luck to this year’s recipients, and I know they will have a wonderful time in post-secondary arts education. Thank you, Quinte Arts Council.

 

2023 QAC Recipient Sophia Crawford-Kenney:

I was the 2023 recipient of the Hugh P. O’Neil Bursary from Quinte Arts Council. I am writing this letter to share my experiences as a first-year student in the joint HBA Theatre and Drama Studies Program (TDS) at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. This past year was one of great personal and professional discovery, something that was facilitated by the financial support of the Quinte Arts Council Bursary Program.

During the 2023-2024 school year, I had the opportunity to receive both practical, hands-on theatrical training from industry professionals at Sheridan College, while simultaneously immersing myself in classical theatre history from acclaimed professors at the University of Toronto. My continued access to both resources allowed me to progress my knowledge surrounding Theatre and Drama in a well-rounded manner; honing my performance abilities, while furthering my education in such a vast and ever-changing art form. Through scene studies, personal performance projects, and research assignments, my understanding of, and appreciation for theatre has grown exponentially.

Not only have I had the opportunity to pursue more than one approach to theatre, but I have also expanded my horizons by working as a member of production crews. This year, I spent various hours per week in the wardrobe and props departments of Theatre Erindale, the production company for the TDS Program. It produces two shows per semester; the mainstage productions saw Guillaume Corbeil’s 5 Faces for Evelyn Frost, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, Kat Sander’s Cockfight, and William Shakespeare’s As You Like It brought to life, within all I had the pleasure of fulfilling crew responsibilities. The work of costume-making/design and development and construction of props, was tirelessly supported by talented industry artists as heads of crew. Beyond simply being onstage, I have come to know and love contributing to the production side of performance. Additionally, my respect and gratitude for both production and backstage members and crews of all departments have only risen after witnessing how integral the commitment of each team is to the success of a production.

Overall, it is with the financial support of the Quinte Arts Council that I have been able to capitalize on the new endeavours and opportunities presented to me in my first year of post-secondary. My experiences during this school year have only confirmed and furthered my passions within the dramatic arts. I look forward to the growth and future discoveries that I will surely make throughout my remaining three years in the TDS Program. 

Thank you, Quinte Arts Council!