For Emerging Writers
The Carver Award recognizes an emerging writer with one to two works that are either self-published or published through a small, independent publisher.
Richard Carver—a former president of NDAC—moved to Nelson from Ottawa in 2001. He had worked for The Ottawa Citizen and after that had a distinguished career with the National Library for twenty years. His move connected him with an engaged and vibrant community where he could explore his own passions of writing and painting. Richard served as a cultural volunteer and supported many young artists in the Nelson community before his death in 2009.
The Nelson and District Arts Council is proud to honour Richard Carver’s contributions to the Kootenay arts scene, with the support of the Carver Family. The award recipient must be a West Kootenay resident with a published work of any genre.
Nominees are judged across three criteria: quality of work, the strength of the nomination, and community engagement.
2013 – Darcee O’Hearne
2014 – Jane Byers
2015 – Susan Dancer and Avi Silberstein
2016 – Donna MacDonald and Alanda Greene
2017 – Diana Morita Cole
2018 – Morty Mint and Ernst Hekkanen
2019 – Rayya Liebich
2020 – Danielle LaRocque
2021 – Sarah Beauchamp
2022 – Zaynab Mohammed
2023 – Ellen Burt
2024 – Ari Lord