Celebrating Ontario’s Artistic Side
McGuinty Government Announces Premier’s Arts Award Winners
Ontario paid tribute to its most outstanding artists and arts organizations at the 2010 Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Ken Gass, founder and artistic director of the Factory Theatre, won the Artist Award. Mr. Gass has been instrumental in helping nurture and develop some of Canada’s best playwrights and actors.
The Guelph Jazz Festival won the Arts Organization Award. This influential music festival has established an international reputation for presenting a vibrant, challenging and culturally diverse program.
The Premier’s Award for new or emerging individual talent, selected each year by the winner of the Artist Award, went to Natasha Mytnowych, artistic director for Theatre Revolve and Company Theatre Crisis.
The winning artist will receive $35,000 and selects a new or emerging artist to receive a prize of $15,000. The winning arts organization will be awarded $50,000. The Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts is managed by the Ontario Arts Council.
QUICK FACTS
- There are 56,900 artists in Ontario.
- The arts and culture sector generates nearly $20 billion for Ontario’s economy.
- Ontario has provided over 2,800 grants and invested more than $140 million in arts festivals and events since 2003.
- The Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts was created in 2006 to reflect the government’s appreciation of the arts in Ontario. It honours both well-established artists, emerging artists and arts organizations.
