Qaggiq, a project dedicated to supporting northern performing artists, has won the very prestigious Arctic Inspiration Prize.  Qaggiq is led by the Qaggiavuut Society, a Nunavut-based arts organization in partnership with organizations across the North and southern Canada

The award, worth $600,000, will allow Qaggiavuut to develop and nurture Arctic performing artists through training programmes and mentorships. The prize will also help build a performing arts infrastructure to create more opportunities for artists to perform not only in the North, but around the world.

“This award speaks to our perseverance and belief in the North’s performing artists,” said the Qaggiq team leader, Ellen Hamilton. “We believe that Canada wants and needs the inspiration these artists provide.”

With the fastest growing population in Canada, it’s estimated that the Arctic has the highest proportion of artists in the country.

“Our problem is that Arctic performing artists are isolated from one another,” said Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, the Chairperson of the Qaggiavuut Society. “They live in places so remote, that it’s difficult to collaborate, to learn new skills, and to share their work with others.”

Nunavut, which celebrates its 20^th anniversary in 2019, is the only province or territory in Canada that does not have a performing arts centre. It was frustration, born from the lack of a professional performing arts space that spurred the creation of the Qaggiavuut Society.

“Arctic culture was on the land only two generations ago and has gone through a huge change very quickly,” says Hamilton. ”The experience of being dragged into modernity is rich with emotion and story.”

The Qaggiavuut Society has worked in close collaboration with the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa to develop Qaggiq. The Canada Council for the Arts is a lead funding partner. Other partners include the National Theatre School of Canada, Inuit organizations, Banff Centre and the Government of Nunavut . Qaggiq team members include northern performing artists from three territories and performing arts educators.

“We’re proud of the work Northern artists are creating, it’s world class, and we are thrilled for the Qaggiavuut Society,” said Genevieve Cimon, the NAC’s Director of Music Education. “We know from the success of our music education programmes that communities thrive when the arts are at the centre of their development. We’re proud to be one of Qaggiavuut’s closest collaborators.”

“The Canada Council for the Arts is also proud to support the Qaggiavuut Society in bringing vital arts infrastructure to the North,” said Steven Loft, the Canada Council’s Aboriginal Arts Coordinator. “With its deep roots in Inuit culture and in local communities, this artist driven and community focused initiative will make a huge difference for generations of performing artists and audiences in Nunavut and across the Arctic.  Our warmest congratulations to Qaggiavuut and all involved in bringing this vital activity to life.”

MEDIA SPOKESPEOPLE:

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory 

(Inuit Storyteller-Writer-Dancer-Educator: Iqaluit)

Laakkuluk is an Inuk performing artist, actor, poet and educator living in Iqaluit. She speaks four languages, is studying psychiatry and is the current Chairperson of the Qaggiavuut Society. She is a cultural educator specializing in Greenlandic Mask Dance and storytelling and performs with internationally touring artist Tanya Tagaq. She is notably the co-creator of the groundbreaking circumpolar Inuit theatre work Tulugak.

Ellen Hamilton 

(Project Manager-Musician-Filmmaker-Educator: Iqaluit)

Ellen is an Iqaluit songwriter, producer, theatre director and educator. She is a founding member of the Qaggiavuut Society and its current Director. Ellen has five recordings of original music and has produced over a dozen films, including the feature film Two Lovers and a Bear and the award winning Kajutaijuq. Ellen founded Tununiq Theatre in Pond Inlet, the first Canadian Inuit theatre company to tour internationally. Ellen was awarded the 2015 National Award of Excellence for developing Nunavut adult education programs. 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

 

 

Rosemary Thompson, Director, Communications and Public Affairs National Arts Centre 613 947-7000 x260 rosemary.thompson@nac-cna.ca Carl Martin Senior Advisor, Communications National Arts Centre 613 947-7000 x560 carl.martin@nac-cna.ca

Geneviève Vallerand
Manager, Public Relations and Social Media
Canada Council for the Arts
613 790 4294
genevieve.vallerand@canadacouncil.ca