Director of Canada Council for the Arts Appointed
OTTAWA, June 29, 2006 -- Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, confirmed today the appointment of Robert Sirman, of Toronto, as Director of the Canada Council for the Arts. The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage has reviewed and unanimously supported this appointment."I look forward to working with Mr. Sirman and the Canada Council for the Arts to ensure that Canadian artists and creators receive the support they need," said Minister Oda. "I am confident that, under Mr. Sirman's lead, the Canada Council will continue to play a key role in fostering cultural excellence in Canada."
Mr. Sirman has been Administrative Director of the National Ballet School since January 1991. From 1980 to 1990, he served with the Ontario Arts Council in several capacities, including director of operations from November 1980 to June 1989, acting executive director from July 1988 to February 1989, and director of research and policy planning from July 1989 to December 1990. Mr. Sirman also worked in the Government of Ontario from 1978 to 1980 as the senior policy advisor in the Deputy Minister's Office at the Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
Mr. Sirman has been chair of the advisory council for the University of Toronto's Co-op Arts Management Program, a board member and chair of the Peggy Baker Dance Projects, a member of the Canadian Dance Assembly's advocacy committee, and treasurer of the Canadian Association of Professional Dance Organizations.
The Canada Council for the Arts fosters and promotes the study, enjoyment, and production of works in the arts by providing assistance to individual artists and arts organizations through a peer assessment process. It also administers the Public Lending Right program of payments to authors, coordinates the development of UNESCO activities in Canada, and coordinates Canadian participation in UNESCO activities abroad. For more information on the Council, please visit www.canadacouncil.ca
Information:
Nancy Heppner
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
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