Exploring St. John's region through Arts and Culture

Year of the Arts is a provincial government initiative that celebrates Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique and colourful arts community. The province’s artistic narrative is deeply rooted in our Indigenous and European ancestors’ traditions and is strengthened and diversified by more recent cultures that have made this place their home. From the creation of new works, performances, and exhibitions, to infrastructure projects, the Year of the Arts and its associated initiatives encourage artistic collaboration and connections that will have a lasting impact on artists and enhance vibrancy in our communities.

In St. John’s you can meet craftspeople and immerse yourself in Newfoundland's art scene at Quidi Vidi Artisan Studios and at The Rooms. The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is featuring the work of visual artists on new, vibrant signage and there will be markets every second Thursday evening throughout July and August featuring local vendors, artists, and makers with busker-style entertainment. 

Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Photo courtesy of Destination St. John's

In the Town of Conception Bay South the Kelligrews Soiree runs from July 6 to 12 featuring food and music including a folk festival and a grand finale concert on Topsail Beach July 12.

2024 is the summer of music in St. John’s and there’s something for everyone! The recently held HarbourVOICES! International Festival of Collective Singing Traditions, an anchor event of ‘Year of the Arts’, attracted 1,400 voices from across the country and the world. Sound Symposium XXI is happening from July 16 to 24. This event invites you to explore sound beyond boundaries, featuring the best in international new music and sound art. There are also several large-scale festivals coming up: NL Folk Festival, George Street Festival, and Churchill Park Music Festival and the City of St. John’s is hosting two concerts at the Downtown Pedestrian Mall, in addition, to the free Music @ Concert Series that takes place from July to September in a variety of locations across the City. 

In the Town of Paradise the Summer Jams Concert Series is back by popular demand featuring a lineup of local musicians held at different locations around Town. In Newfoundland and Labrador music is a way of life! 

This fall, Business and Arts NL is hosting a creativity and innovation summit in St. John’s to bring together participants from across the business and arts communities to explore creativity: what it is, how to harness it, and how to apply it to fuel innovation.

This new wave of art, music, and culture is a core element central to quality of life in St. John’s metro creating a hub of creativity and innovation.  Visit AdvantageStJohns to find out more. 

NL Health Technology industry growing

Entrevestor's 2023 Atlantic Canada Startup Data Report indicates that the health technology industry posted the fastest revenue growth at 168 percent of information technology startups in Atlantic Canada. The report highlights four Atlantic Canadian companies that are leveraging software applications in the medical space. Two of the med tech companies featured are based in Newfoundland and Labrador: PragmaClin Research Inc. and Sparrow BioAcoustics. 

Innovations in medical technology often lead to better diagnostic tools, treatments, and medical devices that directly improve patient outcomes. The med tech sector in Newfoundland and Labrador is a significant contributor of provincial economic growth and is among the strongest and most dynamic sectors identified as a key priority to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Equinor Canada 2024 exploration drilling program

Equinor will be undertaking a drilling campaign in the Flemish Pass area of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area this summer. The Hercules drill rig will be deployed for a one-well project with the possibility of an optional second well. Equinor provided some details of their plan in an amendment to its environmental application to the Canada Newfoundland Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

Oceans Advance your portal into the NL Ocean Tech ecosystem 

Oceans Advance, a membership organization connecting members with each other and with government partners to identify and promote opportunities, has a new brand and video highlighting how Newfoundland and Labrador is the world’s real-time cold ocean laboratory, strategically positioned along the path to the Arctic. Oceans Advance is key in advancing the ocean tech sector in the province.

The Government of NL has launched the 2nd call for expressions of interest for the #GreenTransitionFund to support projects for businesses, postsecondary and industry associations to assist in the transition to a green economy. Deadline to apply is July 12, 2024. gov.nl.ca

Pattern Energy has signed a letter of intent with ammonia buyer Mabanaft in Germany becoming the first Canadian green hydrogen company to break into the European market. http://patternenergy.com

Introducing the Co. Innovation Centre. This dynamic space will serve as a multi-sectoral space for some of the St. John's region’s established and growing companies to converge, collaborate, and cocreate.

Retail sales in St. John’s metro to increase 3.1% in 2024 boosted by a growing population and rising incomes according to Economic Outlook 2024.

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