Meilleur unveils Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts

On February 3, Ontario minister of culture Madeleine Meilleur announced a new award, the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, which would provide $50,000 to two individual artists annually. Along with professions such as writing and publishing, film and television production, visual arts, and music, practitioners in digital art and media are also eligible for the prize. Below is an edited version of the minister’s remarks, delivered at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre. …I am honoured to be here today to announce the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. The Province of Ontario has established this award to honour the important contribution artists make to our society. A contribution that many of you are familiar with, having worked in dance, music, opera, theatre, writing, film, television and the many other disciplines that this award celebrates. I’m pleased to announce that the total value of the award is $50,000. The recipient of the award will receive $35,000 and will choose an emerging artist in the same field who will receive the remaining $15,000. This award recognizes both established and up-and-coming professional artists or organizations whose creative vision and originality have made a significant contribution to their field. We feel that it’s important to showcase our outstanding achievements, to honour those who have shared their ideas and talent, and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. I feel there is never enough done to formally recognize and celebrate artists or the contribution they make to our communities. We celebrate excellence in the business and scientific communities, in education and other professions. I am thrilled to launch this award for the artistic community. And for that, we have to thank the Premier, Mr. McGuinty. Our government has clearly shown its commitment to culture by ensuring that proper homes are built to shelter and exhibit our treasures. Although we understand it’s important to support the ‘bricks and mortar’ of Ontario’s cultural organizations, it is also essential to honour the achievements of our talented artists. They are the soul of these homes, the essence of our cultural and performing community. Our artists are role models to young people throughout Ontario. They have and will continue to inspire emerging performers, creators, publishers and producers. They are the forerunners of innovation and our ‘leaders of thought’ who help us see the world in unique ways. …The arts contribute to our provincial economy and give us a competitive edge in a global, knowledge-based economy. The culture sector supports more than 250,000 jobs and generates $17.9 billion dollars in economic activity. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario’s culture sector contributes almost half of Canada’s total culture gross domestic product. It is no accident that the most prosperous economies are those where the arts are thriving. Tourists are drawn to our art galleries, our music and theatrical offerings, as well as our book and film festivals. Our writers and book publishers are world famous and have won many international awards for excellence. And, as we’ve witnessed today, we have many talented artists and performers for everyone to enjoy. As Minister of Culture, I see Ontario as a local, national and international champion in fostering achievement in arts and culture.

Meilleur unveils Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts

Broadcast | March 7, 2006

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