Ballet Jörgen Canada receives the 2011 NAC Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring
Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) is pleased to announce that Ballet Jörgen Canada has been awarded the 2011 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring in the Performing Arts.
Ballet Jörgen Canada is being recognized for its leadership role in the development of touring by professional dancers and companies in Canada. The award was given to Ballet Jörgen Canada at a special dinner during the Canadian Arts Presenting Association’s (CAPACOA) annual conference on November 6, 2011, at the Méridien King Edward Hotel in Toronto.
“We are incredibly grateful and honoured to receive this prestigious award,” said Bengt Jörgen, Artistic Director at Ballet Jörgen Canada. “We passionately believe in the importance of consistently connecting ballet with Canadian communities and making ballet a familiar, ongoing and shared experience. We extend our appreciation to all of our presenters and partners across the country, who work tirelessly to ensure that all Canadians have ongoing access to high quality classical and contemporary ballet.”
As it approaches its 25th anniversary next year, Ballet Jörgen Canada is the only major Canadian ballet company with a repertoire of exclusively original works. The company has more than two decades of innovation in creating opportunities for Canadian choreographers and engagement with communities in outreach and educational activities. Ballet Jörgen Canada conducts extensive tours every year, bringing ballet performances to over 40,000 people in every region of Canada and the northern United States. Through its extensive education and outreach activities, the company has been successfully building audiences for the performing arts across the country. For example, one third of its audiences at public performances are under the age of eighteen, while one-third is attending a dance performance for the first time.
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 jury composed of presenters, artists, management, 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 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 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 the 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.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
|
Melanie Bureau |
Carl Martin |