University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies

Creative Writing Program

New Poetry Award Announced 

  Janice Colbert                                                                                                               

 

Lee Gowan, Program Director of the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Creative Writing Program, is pleased to announce a new writing award.

The Janice Colbert Poetry Award will recognize one talented poet registered in creative writing courses annually with an award of $1,000, beginning in the spring of 2014.

Janice Colbert, a poet and visual artist, is a graduate of the School of Continuing Studies’ Creative Writing Certificate Program and recipient of several writing awards at the School.

“It’s inspiring  to have a former student create our first poetry award,” says Gowan. “We couldn’t think of a better way to honour Janice than to name this endowed award after her.”

Janice is hopeful this award will encourage more poets to engage in the pursuit of excellence in their craft. “While the financial component of an award is always positive,” says Janice, “the acknowledgement from a high-quality jury builds confidence and recognition toward getting published.”

Thank you to the poets who have generously contributed their expertise and time in judging the students submissions. 

2014 Adam Sol, Nyla Matuk and Sheila Stewart

2015 Bruce Whitman, Sara Peters and Catriona Wright

2016 A. F Moritz, Robin Richardson and Souvankham Thammavongsa

2017 Sachiko Murakami, Jacob Mooney, and Kateri Lanthier