McGuinty Government expands award for the arts

Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco
News Release

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TORONTO - The Ontario government is expanding the Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts for its second year to provide two top honours - one for an individual and one for an arts organization, Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today on behalf of Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"Ontario is home to some of the best and most creative minds in the world," said Premier McGuinty. "This expanded award will give more of our artists and arts organizations an opportunity to showcase their talent - and help ensure Ontario's cultural sector remains vibrant and competitive."

The Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution to arts and culture in Ontario by an individual and a group. Nominees must be engaged in a professional arts practice including arts, crafts, dance, music, opera, theatre, visual and media arts, writing or cultural industries such as book and magazine publishing, digital media, film, television and sound recording.

The recipient of the individual award will receive $35,000 and will name a promising newcomer in the same field to receive $15,000. Five short-listed finalists will receive $2,000 each.

The award for an arts organization will recognize an organization that has made a substantial and distinguished contribution to the arts and has been actively involved in the arts or cultural industries in Ontario over a significant period of time. The arts organization will receive an award of $50,000. Five short-listed finalists will receive $2,000 each.

"Our artists and arts organizations inspire us to see the world in unique ways," said Di Cocco. "This award now honours not only the excellence of our established artists and Ontario's promising new talent, but also the important contributions of our arts organizations."

The first Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts was presented in February 2007 to internationally acclaimed dancer Peggy Baker. The Ontario Arts Council administers the award on behalf of the Government of Ontario. Nominations are currently being accepted, and can be submitted in French and English.

For more information about the award, please contact the Ontario Arts Council at 416-961-1660 extension 6666 or toll-free at 1-800-387-0058 extension 6666 or visit their website at www.arts.on.ca. Nomination deadline is December 3, 2007. The newly expanded Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts will be presented in the spring of 2008.

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