Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) is pleased to announce that Alain Paré has been awarded the 2014 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring in the Performing Arts. 

Mr. Paré is being recognized for his passion and commitment to arts touring and presenting in Canada.  The award will be presented at a special dinner during the Canadian Arts Presenting Association’s (CAPACOA) 26th annual conference on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre.

“I’m moved by this recognition and proud to be considered among those who helped promote the performing arts internationally,” said Mr. Paré upon hearing about the award. “Seeing my name alongside those of other prestigious recipients makes this award all the more significant to me. I get the same feeling of pride when I see local artists and creators shine on the international stage. Today, I would like to share this honour with them; their talent and creative genius have inspired my actions and my work since the inauguration of CINARS 30 years ago. The long road that led here is lined with great achievements that would not have been possible without the cooperation and collaboration of many colleagues, whom I also wish to thank.”  

Alain Paré is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of CINARS, the International Exchange for the Performing Arts, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.  Held every two years in Montreal, CINARS gathers together nearly 1,000 presenters, producers, observers, agents and artists from more than 40 countries.  Since its inception, CINARS has served as a springboard for a number of artists who are now internationally renowned, including Robert Lepage, La La La Human Steps, Karen Young, Dave St-Pierre, I Musici, and Les 7 doigts de la main.  Mr. Paré has also served on the boards of a number of organizations, including ADISQ, the Festival International de la Chanson de Granby, Festivals Montreal, and Diagramme Gestion Culturelle. 

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 committee composed of presenters, artists, administrators, the National Arts Centre and CAPACOA.  The recipient may be an individual, performing company, corporation or other organization. For more information about CAPACOA, please visit http://www.capacoa.ca.

The Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring consists of $2,500 and a specially designed porcelain sculpture by Paula Murray, one of Canada’s finest ceramic artists.    

Previous recipients include Peter Feldman (2013), Ballet Jörgen Canada (2011), La danse sur les routes du Québec (2010), Uriel Luft (2009), the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (2008), Judy Harquail (2007), Ottie Lockey (2006), Colin McIntyre (2005), CBC Radio/la 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).

CAPACOA is a federally incorporated, non-profit pan-Canadian organization serving the performing arts touring and presenting field. The National Arts Centre is Canada’s pre-eminent showcase for the performing arts and a catalyst for the performing arts nationally. The National Arts Centre is home to the internationally acclaimed National Arts Centre Orchestra, and is a leader in the presentation of: classical music, dance, English and French theatre, variety and community programming.

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For more information, please contact:

Mélanie Bureau

Operations Manager
CAPACOA
613-562-3515
Melanie.bureau@capacoa.ca

Mary Gordon
Communications Advisor
National Arts Centre
(613)947-7000, ext. 849
mary.gordon@nac-cna.ca