December 11, 2007

NEW DEADLINE FOR PREMIER’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS

Celebrate Culture By Nominating An Artist Or Arts Organization This Holiday Season

 

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is giving people ten more days to nominate their favourite artist or arts organization for the recently expanded $120,000 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll announced today. 

“The Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts not only reward Ontario’s artists, they also raise their profile across the province,” said Carroll. “I am delighted that the awards have been expanded to recognize arts organizations for their remarkable achievements.”

The deadline to submit nominations forms for the 2008 Premier’s Award has been extended to December 19. Nomination forms are available on the Ontario Arts Council website at www.arts.on.ca.

The winner of the individual Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts will receive $35,000. The recipient will then nominate a promising newcomer, who will receive $15,000. Each finalist will receive $2,000. This year, a new $50,000 award for arts organizations has been added to the program. 

Last year’s winner of the individual artist award was Peggy Baker, a renowned performer, choreographer, teacher, and mentor. Baker began her career in Toronto in the 1970s and went on to perform with the world’s leading dancers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov. She teaches ballet and modern dance throughout Canada and the United States at institutions that include The Julliard School, York University and the Toronto Dance Theatre.

“An award of this magnitude allows artists to make a leap of imagination in their personal lives,” said Baker about how the unconditional nature of the cash award can help artists. “It’s an amazing gift.”

Baker selected Singapore-born Yvonne Ng to receive the Promising Newcomer award. Ng came to Canada in 1983, studied dance at York University and has become an accomplished dancer, producer, choreographer, teacher and artistic director.

"It’s a great honour to have received this wonderful and generous award,” said Ng. “These awards are so valuable giving the people of Ontario an opportunity to appreciate and applaud their own home grown talents.” 

“Ontario is home to so many outstanding artists and arts organizations that choosing just two will be a difficult decision,” said Carroll. “I encourage people to nominate their favourite Ontario artists and arts organizations and do it before the December 19 deadline – consider it part of your festive celebrations.”

Photos and a video of Baker are available on request from the Communications Branch of the Ministry of Culture. Ms. Ng and Ms. Baker are available for interviews.

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Contacts:
Alicia Johnston, Minister’s Office, 416-325-1676
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, 416-326-6893