February 28, 2008

THE FIRST ‘CELEBRATE OUR ARTISTS’ WEEKEND JUNE 6-8

McGuinty Government Boosts The Arts With A Weekend Of Activities In Kitchener-Waterloo Region

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is launching the first Celebrate Our Artists Weekend! June 6-8 in the communities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford and surrounding areas.

Celebrate our Artists! is:

• an opportunity for the public to explore the creative process through activities such as behind the scenes’ tours, workshops, and lectures, and
• a chance to learn more about theatre, music, dance, literature, media arts, crafts, and the visual and performance arts

The Ontario Arts Council will work with artists and arts organizations involved to help coordinate the activities. There will be some funding available for specific projects that will require payment to professional artists.

Artists, arts organizations and community-based arts groups are being encouraged to participate and should contact Natalie De Vito, OAC Celebrate Our Artists Weekend Project Manager and Artistic Producer, at 1-800-387-0058 ext. 7468 or ndevito@arts.on.ca.

“Celebrate Our Artists! weekend recognizes the exciting contributions that artists make to our communities,” said the Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture. “The extraordinary amount of arts activity in this region made it an excellent choice for the first year of this project. We look forward to expanding this pilot in future years.”

“The idea behind the Celebrate our Artists! weekend is to encourage a broader appreciation of the arts, and its importance and impact on local communities,” said Martha Durdin, OAC Chair. “It is about connecting to new audiences, and promoting activities and events that will give the public more information and understanding about the work of artists.”

“I am pleased this area was chosen for the pilot for Celebrate our Artists! weekend,” said MPP John Milloy of Kitchener Centre. “Kitchener-Waterloo has a great many talented people who make significant contributions to the local community.”

“A special weekend recognizing our artists is part of the government’s plan to create a better environment for artists and we look forward to seeing it continue in the future,” said MPP Leeanna Pendergast of Kitchener Conestoga.

“Artists create economic and cultural benefits to the communities where they live and this weekend will be a way for all Ontarians to show their appreciation,” said MPP JohnWilkinson of Perth-Wellington.

The Ontario Arts Council, with support from the Ministry of Culture, will administer the pilot project, encourage arts organizations to participate, and help organize events. The provincial government recently provided $15 million to the Ontario Arts Council, as well as $20 million to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and $49 million to support Ontario’s major cultural agencies and attractions.

Last spring the government announced the Status of the Ontario’s Artists Act, which recognizes the importance of artists to the Ontario economy and quality of life. The Act set out a commitment by the government to promote the importance of the arts to towns and cities across Ontario, and proclaimed the first weekend in June as Celebrate the Artist Weekend.

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Contacts:

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