Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto – Today, Toronto Arts Foundation announced the finalists for the 2013 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards, celebrating those individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Toronto’s vibrant artistic and cultural life.
This year’s nominees were chosen by a stellar multi-disciplinary jury: David Abel, Executive Director, Art of Time Ensemble; Maxine Bailey, Vice-President, Public Affairs, TIFF; Nicole Rose Bond, Dance Artist; Emelie Chhangur, Assistant Director/Curator Art Gallery of York University; Pat Else; Clarence Ford, Director, Choreographer; Richard Marsella, Director, Regent Park School of Music; Yvonne Ng, Artistic Director, Princess Productions; Anusree Roy, Playwright, Librettist and Performer.
The winners of the 2013 Toronto Arts Foundation awards, totaling $46,000 will be announced on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at The Mayor’s Arts Lunch, an outstanding event that welcomes the entire spectrum of Toronto’s creative community.
2013 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards Finalists:
Arts for Youth Award –
Art Starts - Focused on youth, children and families, it brings professional artists and communities together to encourage social change in Toronto's underserved neighbourhoods.
Community Knowledge Centre (CUE) - A youth-driven high-access arts initiative that mentors, supports, and exhibits artwork and performance by new generation artists who live and work on the margins.
Expect Theatre - Through arts programming and social activism, thousands of youth from Toronto's priority neighbourhoods have been empowered by theatrical performances, workshops and mentorships.
This $15,000 cash prize was established in 2007 by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck and Sandra and Jim Pitblado, celebrating an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto youth in the arts. The two runners-up will each receive $2,000, made possible by Diana Bennett and Spencer Lanthier.
The Toronto Arts and Business Award –
Announcement to be made June 3.
This award celebrates a local business that has made an important contribution to the arts in Toronto through innovative, transformative and entrepreneurial partnerships. Established in 2006, this award is presented in partnership with Business for the Arts, The Toronto Star and Toronto Arts Foundation.
The Emerging Artist Award –
Molly Johnson - A native Cape Bretoner and Toronto resident of 12 years, Molly is a dance artist working to define how we can connect to the world around us through contemporary forms.
Fotis Kanteres - with degrees in anthropology, linguistics, and epidemiology, Fotis has expanded into film, photography and writing. His first short film gained recognition by the director Werner Herzog.
Daniel Karasik - a Toronto-based playwright, poet and prose-writer, Daniel is the Artistic Director of Tango Productions. The company produces new Canadian plays, including Daniel’s own work. He is also a director, producer and accomplished actor.
This $5,000 cash prize is presented to an emerging Toronto artist working in any discipline in celebration of current accomplishments and future potential. In addition, finalists will receive $1,000 each. Established in 2006 this award is intended to support the development or completion of new work and is generously sponsored by The John McKellar Charitable Foundation
Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Dance –
Denise Fujiwara, Fujiwara Dance Inventions – a contemporary dance and Butoh artist, a choreographer, a teacher and a mentor, Denise’s international achievements in dance include choreographic commissions and invitations to lead workshops, perform and tour.
Patrick Parson, Ballet Creole - a pioneer in the development of contemporary dance and Afrocentric movement in Canada, Patrick founded Ballet Creole which has paved the way for emerging diverse dance artists and companies.
Carmen Romero, Compañía Carmen Romero and the School of Flamenco Dance Arts - a driving force in the flamenco community on a local, national and international level, Carmen’s years of study and performance in this traditional art form have made her a pivotal artist and educator to flamenco students.
A $10,000 cash prize presented to an artist or creator who has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of Toronto through outstanding achievement in dance. The recipient will also have participated in international initiatives, including touring, studying abroad and participating in artist exchanges.
Rita Davies and Margo Bindhardt Cultural Leadership Award –
David Anderson, Clay and Paper Theatre - Bringing together arts professionals, theatre students, businesses and community in plays, pageants and parades, grounded in the idea that performance in public space is an act of cultural transformation.
Robert Foster - A highly effective arts advocate, Robert is passionate about commitments ranging from fund-raising for Daniels Spectrum and Artscape Youngplace to sitting on the Luminato Board of Directors and Co-chairing the Capital Gains Group.
Che Kothari, Manifesto Community Projects – As Founder of Manifesto, and co-founder of BeautifulCity.ca, Che has created a platform particularly for young people of colour interested in the cultural industries. With Manifesto, Che produces the largest festival of its kind in Canada.
This $10,000 cash prize, presented biennially to an individual who has demonstrated creative cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto. Administrators, volunteers, artists and creators are eligible for consideration. This award is co-sponsored by the family of Margo Bindhardt and the Toronto Arts Foundation.
In addition, each award winner will receive an original work of art commissioned by Toronto Arts Foundation. This year Toronto Arts Foundation has chosen Toronto-based multi-media artist Louise Noguchi, to create the piece. Also, each finalist will be photographed as part of the Finalists Portrait Series. These beautiful portraits will be shot by Denise Grant Photography, and will be featured online, courtesy of media sponsor, NOW Magazine.
ABOUT TORONTO ARTS FOUNDATION
Toronto Arts Foundation, a charitable organization, provides the opportunity for individuals, private and public foundations, corporations and government agencies to invest in and strengthen the arts in Toronto. We are powered by a vision: Creative City: Block by Block, a commitment to connect every Toronto neighbourhood to the transformative social and economic benefits of the arts. Through sponsorships, legacy gifts and donations to our Creative City Funds, Toronto Arts Foundation gives voice to the arts, shines the spotlight on Toronto’s exceptional talent, and connects communities to the arts.
For more information on the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards and The Mayor’s Arts Lunch please visit www.torontoartsfoundation.org <http://www.torontoartsfoundation.org>
2013-05-21
Toronto: Finalists for 2013 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards announced