November 08, 2006 -

SAINT JOHN, NB -- The National Arts Centre is pleased to announce that Ottie Lockey is this year's recipient of the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring in the performing arts.

Ms. Lockey accepted the award at a special award dinner during the Canadian Arts Presenting Association’s (CAPACOA) annual conference on Nov. 5, 2006 at Imperial Theatre in Saint John New Brunswick.

“Ottie Lockey has made a remarkable difference to the Canadian arts, particularly in showcasing Canadian musicians for audiences at home and around the world,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “The fact that she planned over 90 Canadian and international orchestral tours between 1981and 2000 is absolutely incredible. She has made an outstanding contribution to Canadian performing artists and we are very happy to honour her with this award.”

Ms. Lockey said she was delighted to receive the award.

“Touring has always been my passion, so I was especially delighted to receive this NAC Award. To be recognized by my colleagues and peers is a great honour, and I am very grateful."

The award consists of $2,500 and a specially designed sculpture.

Established in 1992, the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring honours exceptional achievement in fostering the touring of live performing arts in Canada.  The recipient is chosen from nominations solicited from within the industry and is selected by a jury composed of presenters, artists, management, the National Arts Centre and CAPACOA.  The recipient may be an individual, performing company, corporation or other organization.

Previous award winners include Colin McIntyre (2005), CBC Radio/Radio de Radio-Canada (2004), Debut Atlantic (2003), Richard Stoker (2002), Nicholas Goldschmidt (2001), Bruce Owen (2000), the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (1999), David Haber (1998), Dr. Elmer Iseler (1997), Jean-Paul Gagnon (1996), Hugh Davidson (1995), Mark Porteous (1994), George Zukerman (1993), and CAPACOA (1992).

ABOUT OTTIE LOCKEY

Since 2000 Ottie Lockey (Ottie Lockey Management - OLM) hasserved a select group of artists, arts managers and arts organizations in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

OLM has provided consulting services in international touring, executive coaching, board development and strategic planning to a wide variety of artist managements, small ensembles, orchestras, theatres, dance, opera companies and arts centres, including:
The Banff Centre, Gryphon Trio, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, NAC Orchestra, Netherlands Bach Society, Orchestras Canada, Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, Konzertdirektion Schmid in Germany, Royal Conservatory of Music, Shaw Festival, Tapestry New Opera Works, and the Vancouver Recital Society.

From 1981 to 2000 Ms. Lockey as Managing Director of Tafelmusik established one of Canada’s legendary partnerships with Music Director Jeanne Lamon.  During that period she planned and implemented over 90 orchestral tours to Asia, Europe and the United States, as well as across Canada. Working with a network of agents and impresarios, Ms. Lockey financed over 15 million dollars of touring activity on a break-even basis.  In 1990 she negotiated a multi-million contract with Sony Classical, winning Tafelmusik an unprecedented mandate to create 40 CDs over a six-year period.  Many of those recordings were made on tour in Europe in the 90s.

Between 1997 and 2002 Ms. Lockey lectured in the MBA Program at York University’s Schulich School of Business, Arts & Media Department.  While at York and as part of her philosophy of arts administration, she has frequently mentored young arts administrators and emerging arts leaders.  She is a founding member of Those Women: Consultants to the Performing Arts.

Ms. Lockey has been honoured with the following awards:

1996 - Association of Cultural Executives Annual Award
1999 – Commemorative Award presented by the Ambassador to Canada of the People’s Republic of China in recognition of Tafelmusik’s donation of a Harpsichord to the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music
1999 – M. Joan Chalmers Award for Excellence in Arts Administration
2000 – Orchestras Canada Award of Distinction

For more Information, please see www.ottielockey.com

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For more information, please contact:
Peter Feldman
Executive Director, CAPACOA
(613) 562-3515       
Cell: (613) 720-6803
peter.feldman@capacoa.ca Mary Gordon
Communications, NAC
(613) 947-7000, ext 524
mgordon@nac-cna.ca