The Ontario government is recognizing the important role of the arts in Ontario with the province’s first ever Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, Minister of Culture Madeleine Meilleur 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 award will give more of our artists 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 or 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 award will receive $35,000. An additional $15,000 will be given to a promising newcomer in the same field who will be chosen by the recipient.

"Our artists are innovators who inspire us to see the world in unique ways," said Meilleur. "This award honours both the significant contribution of our established artists, and the creative vision and originality of Ontario’s promising new talent."

The award received praise from the arts community.

"We are thrilled to see that the Government of Ontario has created such a generous award for the province's cultural community", said Albert Schultz, Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company. "It is vital that the vision and accomplishment of our leading artists and arts organizations be recognized. This award will enrich and inspire our community in a meaningful way."

"The arts help enrich our lives and play a significant role in the health of our economy," said Meilleur . "The culture sector supports more than 250,000 jobs and generates $17.9 billion in gross domestic product in Ontario – that’s 47 per cent of Canada’s total cultural GDP."

The Ontario Arts Council will administer the award on behalf of the Government of Ontario. Nominations are currently being accepted.

The first Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts will be presented in fall 2006.

Source: http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/

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esande said:

It's good to see some money coming back. Lots of presses in Ontario have been affected by provincial funding cuts but I'm not worried too much about them. They've had a long time, with a lot of money, to establish themselves within the public consciousness. It's the smaller/micor presses that have NO funding at all that get my sympathy. Let's get them some money! Arts funding in Ontario is a lot better than some of the other provinces thats for sure, they get more money from the federal government than some of the smaller provinces and private funding from the business sector has been stronger here.

March 09, 2006 | url

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