August, 2006 - Nr. 8
Honouring Those Who Enrich and Inspire!
MAYOR’S ARTS AWARDS LUNCH
PRESENTED BY THE TORONTO ARTS COUNCIL FOUNDATION
August – Mayor David Miller will lead a celebration of commitment and contribution to Toronto’s creative community during the first-ever Mayor’s Arts Awards Lunch presented by the Toronto Arts Council Foundation (TACF). The event will take place October 5, 2006 at the Fairmont Royal York. Five awards will be presented to prominent creators, performers, volunteers and cultural leaders whose work and dedication have made a significant contribution to the artistic and cultural life of Toronto. The event will bring together the city’s many cultural innovators, arts luminaries, political, civic and corporate leaders.
"I consider it a great privilege to be Mayor of a city that is home to artistic excellence and unlimited creativity," says Mayor Miller. "Hosting the Mayor’s Arts Awards Lunch gives me an unprecedented opportunity to join in celebrating all the individuals—artists, volunteers, and community leaders—who contribute so much to Toronto."
"Toronto is an amazing place to live, work and play," says Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director, TACF, "and our vibrant creative arts scene is one of the key reasons. The individuals and organizations who ignite this city with their passionate commitment to the arts deserve to be recognized in what we believe will be the signature event in Toronto’s cultural calendar.’’
Hopkinson adds, "We’re particularly grateful to RBC for demonstrating their commitment to the arts as the Founding Partner of the Mayor’s Arts Awards Lunch and also to the RBC Foundation for establishing an important new award, the RBC Emerging Artist Award."
"RBC is committed to supporting a wide range of initiatives that contribute to the cultural fabric of our communities," says Stephen Voisin, Executive Director, RBC Foundation. "The RBC Emerging Artist Award is a unique opportunity to reward those who inspire us to make a difference. This award is intended to celebrate the current accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto artist working in any medium or performing arts discipline."
Other awards will be presented at the 2006 event, including The Globe and Mail Toronto Business for the Arts Award, which recognizes a local business that has made a significant contribution to the arts in Toronto; Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Music and Dance, which rewards artists and creators for achievements and international initiatives in music and dance; Roy Thomson Hall Award of Exceptional Achievement in Music, which honours an individual, ensemble or organization to recognize creative, performing, administrative, volunteer or philanthropic contributions to Toronto’s musical life; and the William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto’s Cultural Life, which is presented to an individual whose work is a celebration of life through the arts in the City of Toronto. (Descriptions of each award are available at www.torontoarts.org/awards.)
The Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards celebrate artists, cultural professionals and arts supporters from every creative discipline. This award program is designed to highlight the significant contributions made by our city’s cultural leadership. Past award recipients include writer/poet Lillian Allen, choreographer Marshall Pynkoski, playwright/performer Sky Gilbert, dancer/ choreographer Danny Grossman, singer/songwriter Molly Johnson, artist/teacher Doris McCarthy, philanthropist Roger D. Moore, and arts activist Joy Hughes.
Toronto Arts Council Foundation is the voice for the arts in Toronto. Incorporated in 1995 as a sister organization to Toronto Arts Council, TACF has a two fold mission: to increase awareness of the value that artists and arts organizations bring to the city of Toronto, and to increase resources for the arts.
For more information about the Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards or to download a nomination form visit www.torontoarts.org/awards.
