The Dr. Lanier Phillips Scholarship is awarded annually to a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of colour) 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.

Meet the 2023 recipient!

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!”

Meet the 2022 recipient!

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.”

Meet the 2021 inaugural recipient of the Lanier Phillips Scholarship 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

If you would like to support the scholarship, head on over to our Support Us page!