May 15, 2008

ONTARIO CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS

McGuinty Government Announces Finalists for Premier’s Awards

 

News

One of Ontario’s outstanding artists and one arts organization will take centre stage at the 2008 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. 

The winning artist will receive $35,000 and will select a new or emerging artist to receive a prize of $15,000. The winning arts organization will be awarded $50,000. The remaining finalists will each receive $2,000.

This is the first year that the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts has honoured both an individual artist and an arts organization. 

The finalists in the artist category are:

1. Afua Cooper, of Toronto (Literature)
2. David Earle, of Guelph (Dance)
3. Michael Fortune, of Lakefield (Crafts)
4. Ron Noganosh, of Ottawa (Visual Arts)
5. Alex Pauk, of Toronto (Music)
6. Tim Whiten, of Toronto (Visual Arts)

The finalists in the arts organization category are:

1. Coach House Books, of Toronto (Literature – Cultural Industries)
2. Guelph Jazz Festival, of Guelph (Music)
3. Hot Docs, of Toronto (Media Arts – Cultural Industries)
4. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, of Toronto (Theatre)
5. Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, of M’Chigeeng (Arts Centre)
6. Réseau Ontario, of Ottawa (Performing Arts)

QUOTES

"I'd like to congratulate each of our honourees, thank them for their creativity and for choosing to call Ontario home," said Premier Dalton McGuinty. "Not only do our artists enrich our lives, but they play an important role in helping our economy prosper and grow by showing us what it means to innovate, and making Ontario a destination for the world's talent — in every field."

“The Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts recognize the vital contribution that artists and arts organizations make to communities across Ontario,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll.  “This year’s finalists exemplify the creativity that drives innovation and progress in our province.”     

QUICK FACTS

• The Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts are administered by the Ontario Arts Council.
• Over 250,000 people earn their living in Ontario’s culture sector.
• The culture sector generates $19.7 billion of Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

LEARN MORE

About the McGuinty government’s increased support for arts and culture in Ontario

Contacts:
Alicia Johnston, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-1676
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497

• Backgrounder