“The Philip Akin Black Shoulders Legacy Award has truly changed the trajectory of my career”
— Peter Fernandes, 2023 Award Recipient
Applications
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS UNTIL MAY 11TH 2026
The Black Shoulders Legacy Award is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to support and nurture young-in-craft Black Canadian theatre professionals through financial support, artistic guidance, and national promotion. Young-in-craft professionals are defined as those of any age learning or deepening a new craft.
Five applicants will be selected via submission and awarded a $5,000 honorarium towards training and other opportunities to enhance and grow their artistic craft. This national award will be given to both performers and non-performers who show exceptional promise and are working towards a future in theatre, further amplifying Black voices in the Canadian theatre landscape.
Eligibility
Must be a Canadian resident or citizen
Must identify as Black
Must be practicing in Theatre or the theatrical arts (theatre, dance or opera)
Must be applying with a proposed opportunity in training and/or education with an eye to:
Deepening skill set
Learning a new skill set
Experimenting with new artistic craft
Candidates, whether selected or not, are eligible to apply in a subsequent year.
Application Process
Please submit a written submission (maximum 2 pages) or video submission (maximum 5 minutes) that outlines the proposed opportunity in training and/or education. Please tell us why you are pursuing this now, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Please include a résumé and/or CV with your submission.
Please do not submit support material.
Deadline: Monday, May 11th, 2026th at 11:59 PM PST
Please send applications or questions to blackshoulderslegacyaward@gmail.com
A shortlist of applicants will be brought into the final stage, a conversation with members of the jury. You may be asked to submit support material for this round. Applicants will be notified either way.
“One of the most transformative outcomes of this year has been discovering and embracing my unique voice as a sound designer. I’ve developed an aesthetic rooted in experimentation—blending electronic textures with raw, natural elements to create a sound world that highlights the mundane with the magical. This approach allows me to craft immersive sonic environments that feel intimate, unexpected, and deeply personal.
I am deeply grateful for the Black Shoulders Legacy Award. This support did more than fund technical training—it affirmed my work, my voice, and my place in this industry. It gave me room to grow, experiment, and push beyond perceived limitations. Thank you for believing in my practice and helping me continue to build a future as a multidisciplinary artist and sound designer.”
— Riel Reddick-Stevens, 2024 Award Recipient