Artistic Fraud is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2026 Dr. Lanier Phillips Memorial Scholarship.
The Dr. Lanier Phillips Scholarship is awarded annually to a BIPOC student entering post-secondary studies in the performing arts (theatre, dance, music, opera) who is either from Newfoundland and Labrador or planning to study in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The scholarship is named for Dr. Lanier Phillips. Shipwrecked aboard the USS Truxtun in 1942, Dr. Phillips was the only African-American survivor. What happened to this son of the racially segregated south at the hand of the nearby town of St. Lawrence forever changed his world and became a legendary story that still resonates over seventy years later. Dr. Phillips was the subject of our play Oil and Water, and we are delighted to honour his legacy with this award.
Award: $1000 awarded annually.
2026 Application Deadline: June 10
Application materials:
- Cover Letter: Please tell us a little about yourself! (Who are you, and where are you from? How do you self-identify within the scholarship priority communities of Black, Indigenous, or person of colour? What is your artform? How long have you practiced? Where are you choosing to study and why? What are your long-term career goals?)
- Acceptance notification from a post-secondary program focussed on the performing arts (theatre, music, dance, or opera).
- CV or short bio
Successful applicants will be requested to submit a headshot for promotional purposes.
Inquiries and completed application materials may submitted by email to: scholarship@artisticfraud.com
Meet the 2025 recipient!
Matthew Gabbidon is a Jamaican Canadian trumpet player from Innisfil, Ontario, and a passionate advocate for accessible music education. A 2024 graduate of Nantyr Shores Secondary School, he helped grow its music program during the pandemic and led as a performer, teacher, and conductor. He has performed with ensembles like the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra and the Huronia Symphony Orchestra. Recognized for academic excellence and community leadership, Matthew begins his Bachelor of Music at Memorial University in Fall 2025. His goal is to become a high school music teacher and champion equity and opportunity through the power of music.
““Receiving the Dr. Lanier Phillips Memorial Scholarship is an incredible honour. As a young Black musician and aspiring educator, this support affirms my journey and fuels
my commitment to equity, representation, and the transformative power of music. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity and inspired to carry Dr. Phillips’ legacy forward through my work in music education.””
2024 recipients: Azal Dosanjh and Lina Makaga
Azal Dosanjh
Azal Dosanjh is a director, writer, and producer from India, now residing in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Azal has adapted and developed a series of political satires originally written by Gursharan Singh, in a collection entitled “Tamasha-O-Tamasha” that premiered last year at ACC and was presented by RCA this past June. This fall Azal will be entering his first year of studies at the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal in the directing program.
“I am filled with gratitude as I accept the 2024 Dr. Lanier Phillips Scholarship. I thank Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland for facilitating this award and I thank the jury for their decision. This award will go a long way in supporting my education and I can only hope to continue and sustain the legacy being passed on. Thank you.”
Lina Makaga
Born and raised in Tanzania, Lina Makaga is an actress, singer, and stage manager who wears many other hats. She is currently based in St. John’s, NL, Canada.
Her journey in the performing arts began in high school, where she cultivated her passion for acting while studying Drama. In 2021, she was featured in the TV series “Astrid and Lilly Save the World”, followed by “Hudson and Rex” in 2022. In 2023, she landed a leading role in the short film “NYX” by Jen Fleming. She will be one of the leads in a play written by Karen Monie, directed by Santiago Guzmán, and produced by White Rooster Theatre in December 2024.
In January 2023, she made her stage-managing debut in the play “Happy Anniversary,” produced by Todos Productions. Shortly after, she stage-managed “A Talk in the Terrace” with Sycamore Productions, followed by “Song Seekers: The Greenleaf & Mansfield Story,” produced by White Rooster Theatre. In 2024, she was a production mentee in the musical “An American Hymnal,” produced by Terra Bruce Productions. She is committed to an ongoing exploration, continually pushing her artistic boundaries as she aspires to grow both as a person and an artist.
“I am incredibly grateful to be one of the recipients of the Dr. Lanier Phillips Memorial Scholarship from Artistic Fraud. This support means the world to me, and I deeply appreciate everyone at Artistic Fraud who has made this opportunity possible. In Fall 2024, I will begin an exciting new chapter at Grenfell Campus, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts. I am eager to continue my academic and artistic journey and look forward to all the opportunities ahead.”
2023 recipient: Manae Ryu
Manae Ryu is a flute student from British Columbia who will be commencing her third year of undergraduate studies at MUNL as a joint major in performance and musicologies this coming fall. Born to Japanese-Chinese immigrants, the role of the arts across national, historical, and cultural borders is of particular interest to her as an avid student of musicologies. Though most of Manae’s training as a flutist has been rooted in the Western classical tradition, she is eager to expand her repertoire beyond these conventions and interact with other cultures through the shared language of music.
“It’s an honour to have been selected as the 2023 recipient of the award from among a pool of undoubtedly deserving and highly talented candidates. Even more so as the first recipient from outside of NL, given the historical and cultural significance behind Dr. Phillips’ legacy. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone at Artistic Fraud who has made this opportunity possible for young artists like me, and I’m excited for what the future holds as I move on to my studies at MUNL!”
2022 recipient: Rowan White
Rowan White (they/iel/nekm) is an actor, writer, musician, technician, designer, and educator in the theatre world. Originally hailing from Newfoundland, they are a member of Qalipu First Nation, a tribe of Mi’kmaq people on the island. They moved to Sackville, New Brunswick to attend Mount Allison University, where they are currently pursuing a degree in music and drama. They work for MTA music and Live Bait Theatre. As an artist, they aim to bring attention to different aspects of their identity – those that are often denied a seat at the table. Their art often explores their race and connection to it, their two spirit identity, their body as both a fat and disabled person, and their queerness.
“I’m so grateful to be selected for this award, especially among the talent of NL. Dr. Phillips has such an incredible legacy on the island, one that speaks to the heart of our home, so being a recipient of his namesake award makes me incredibly proud. I can’t wait to use this as an opportunity to share more art.”
2021 inaugural recipient: Nora Barker
Nora Barker is an artist and arts administrator of L’nu (Mi’kmaq) and settler ancestry from Grand Falls – Windsor, currently based in St. John’s, Ktaqmkuk. Nora received a Bachelor of Arts from MUNL in 2017 and has been invited to train at the National Theatre School’s Acting Program for the 2021-2022 year. Nora has learned so much through the generosity and support of the NL Arts Community and has worked with many outstanding NL based Arts organizations including the Isle Aux Mort Theatre Festival, White Rooster Theatre, Women’s Work Festival, Resource Centre for the Arts, Lawnya Vawnya, St. John’s Shorts, Girls Rock NL and TODOS Productions. Nora believes the Arts are an invaluable tool for Community building, education, and cultural revitalization, and aspires to create opportunities for Youth to be immersed in the Indigenous cultural renaissance happening across Ktaqmkuk and all of Turtle Island. Nora looks forward to bringing her training back into Community to further develop Arts access and to cultivate greater understanding of Indigenous Arts. Nora is honoured and humbled to receive this scholarship named for Dr. Lanier Phillips, whose work during the Civil Rights Movement sets an example for all peoples of Turtle Island to continue the work of challenging racism and systemic oppression in our homes, our work, and our communities. Wela’lioq to Artistic Fraud for the opportunity, and wela’lioq for your support of BIPOC arts professionals and students!
Artistic Fraud is delighted to help support Nora on her journey and we are tremendously excited for what her future holds. Congratulations Nora!
Artistic Fraud would like to thank the 2021 sponsors of the Dr. Lanier Phillips Memorial Scholarship: Chris Brookes, Robert Chafe, Mark Dobbin, Susan & James Flynn, Foran Management Consulting, Patrick Foran, Erin French, David Hood, Jol & Mara Hunter, Shawn Kerwin, Crystal Laffoley, Christopher & Janet March, Lorraine Michaels, Niall O’Dea, Ray Creative Agency, and David Somers