The Jan Andrews Literary Award
This award is named in honour of MASC co-founder Jan Andrews, a beloved storyteller and children’s author who inspired generations of young people and believed deeply in the transformative power of the Arts.
Students in Grades 8–12/Sec II-V are invited to submit a piece of creative writing to be considered for this award. We welcome a wide range of writing styles, including short stories, poetry, memoirs, essays, plays, spoken word, song lyrics, or any other form of creative writing that inspires you.
The recipient will receive 20 hours of mentorship with a professional author, developed collaboratively between the winning student and the mentor. The winner’s name, photograph, and winning piece will be published on the MASC website (unless declined by the applicant).
Beginning in February 2026, the winner of the Jan Andrews Literary Award and five runner-ups will be invited to join the inaugural Young Ottawa Writers Workshop (YOWW) cohort. YOWW is a four-month program featuring twice-monthly creative writing workshops. More details below.
Deadline: February 9, 2026
Award Presentation: MASC Arts Awards Evening, NAC, April 8, 2026
Apply Today!
Guidelines
- Open to students in Grades 8-12/Sec II-V
- Maximum 1,000 words
- Double-spaced
- Font size 12pt. Minimum.
Partnership with the Young Ottawa Writers Workshop (YOWW)
Beginning in February 2026, the winner of the Jan Andrews Literary Award and five additional runner-ups will be invited to join the inaugural Young Ottawa Writers Workshop (YOWW) cohort.
YOWW is a four-month program featuring twice-monthly creative writing workshops hosted at MASC’s Ottawa office (Fisher Park Middle School). Led by the Great River Artists’ Collective (GRACE)—including award-winning novelists Kai Thomas and Wayne Ng, poets and Hip Hop artists Apollo the Child and King Kimbit, journalist Vladimir Jean-Gilles, and educator/musician Chanzo Greenidge—this program helps emerging writers refine their craft, deepen their confidence, and explore diverse storytelling traditions.
Participants will:
- Engage in small-group workshops with professional writers and artists
- Receive individualized guidance to strengthen their creative voice
- Explore varied forms of storytelling from multiple cultural and artistic perspectives
- Develop a completed short creative piece to be published in a professionally produced anthology
- Participate in a community showcase and anthology launch in late June
This new opportunity ensures that the Jan Andrews Literary Award not only recognizes young writers but also provides an expanded platform for growth, mentorship, and community connection—reflecting Jan’s legacy of nurturing emerging storytellers.
The deadline for submission will be February 9, 2026, and the winner will receive their award at the MASC Arts Awards evening to be held at the NAC in April 8, 2026.
About Jan Andrews
Jan Andrews was an acclaimed author of numerous books for children, including To See the Stars, The Silent Summer of Kyle McGinley, When the Wind Came, and The Auction, which was a Governor General’s Literary Award finalist. Jan was the first President of the Storytellers of Canada and in 2016, she was appointed to the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture as a children’s writer and pioneer of Canada’s storytelling movement. Most importantly to MASC, in 1989 Jan Andrews and her partner Jennifer Cayley co-founded MASC, which has become the leading Arts Education organization in this region.
Meet Lulia Hagos — Jan Andrews Literary Award Recipient 2024
To me, writing means making emotion visible. It is being able to turn ideas and thoughts into words. Expressing myself through writing has been such a beneficial experience. Through writing, I have been able to bring my imagination to life and make my ideas heard. Learning from a professional author will provide me with the insight I need to see where my writing could exceed.
– Lulia Hagos
