April 06, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre’s Parents for the Arts is inviting nominations for a new “Leadership in Arts” Award. The “Leadership in Arts” Award, to be presented annually, honours one English and one French teacher-generalist (non-arts specialist) who provides an outstanding arts-in-education programme to elementary school children. Nominations are open to all teachers of Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 (not including arts specialists) in the National Capital Region. The winner will be announced at the May 28 NAC Orchestra TD Bank Financial Group Young People’s Concert and will receive $350 in gift certificates.

Nominations should be mailed to Parents for the Arts by May 1, 2005.  All that is required is a letter with as much detail as possible listing why the nominee should be considered. No program is too small for consideration.  The 2005 “Leadership in Arts” will be given to teachers whose arts programs took place during the current school year (September 2004 to June 2005).

The winner will be selected by a jury consisting of educators, parents and a professional from the field of dance, theatre, music and visual arts.

Send to: 
Parents for the Arts
c/o National Arts Centre
P.O. Box 1534, Station B
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5W1
E-mail: pararts@nac-cna.ca

For program guidelines and an application form, please contact:  (613) 947-7000 ext. 844

The names of the two award winners will be released at the TD Bank Financial Group Young People’s Concert on May 28, 2005.  Each award winner will receive:
$100 gift certificate, National Arts Centre
$100 gift certificate, National Gallery of Canada
$50 gift certificate, Scholar’s Choice
$50 gift certificate, Wallack’s Art Supplies
$50 gift certificate, St. John’s Music

Who are Parents for the Arts?

Parents for the Arts is a network of parents who lobby for and support high quality arts education for all children.  To find out more about P4TA or to become a member contact:  pararts@nac-cna.ca or phone (613) 947-7000 ext. 844.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca