News Releases - 2007
Artists to gather in Ottawa March 27-28 for Canada Council anniversary celebration
Ottawa, March 15, 2007 – Fifty of Canada’s most outstanding artists – including writers Michael Ondaatje, Yann Martel and Nicole Brossard, visual artists Mary Pratt and Joe Fafard, actors/directors Martha Henry and Albert Millaire, and dancers/choreographers Marie Chouinard and John Alleyne – will be in Ottawa on March 27-28 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canada Council for the Arts.
--> The list of 50 artists is available on our 50th Anniversary web site.
The Canada Council, Canada’s national arts funding agency, was created by Parliament on March 28, 1957, and the Council has designated Wednesday, March 28, 2007 as “A Day of the Arts”.
Each of the 50 artists will represent a different year in the Canada Council’s history, from actor Jean‑Louis Roux (1957) to violinist Marc Djokic (2006). The artists will come from across the country, and from all areas of the arts.
Highlights of the Day for the Arts will include:
- A reception hosted by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons on March 27 for Parliamentarians and representatives of the arts community (by invitation only).
- A mentoring conference with aspiring artists from high schools, universities and colleges in the National Capital region. The students will have an opportunity to interact with the artists in plenary sessions and workshops and learn what it is like to make a career in the arts. The conference will take place on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 in the Panorama and Fountain rooms of the National Arts Centre, and will include an informal lunch. This event is open to the media and will include a photo opportunity with the participating artists.
- Recognition of the artists in the House of Commons on March 28.
- A dinner at Rideau Hall on March 28, hosted by Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean‑Daniel Lafond (by invitation only).
Karen Kain, Chair of the Canada Council and Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, will participate in the activities and speak at the mentoring conference.
A full list of the participating artists will be available upon request as of March 26. For further information, or to arrange interviews, contact Donna Balkan at 613-566-4414 ext 4134 or Carole Breton at 613‑566‑4414 ext. 4523.
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