Ontario nets $22b from culture yearly with .28m jobs

…Rewards outstanding artists in the Province

CANADA: WITH 58,000 professional artists – nearly twice as many as any other province in Canada – the culture sector generates nearly $22 billion (N3.7 trillion) annually for Ontario’s economy and supports about 280,000 jobs.

“The arts have enormous benefits for our province’s economy and make a profound and meaningful difference in people’s lives,” Premier Kathleen Wynne said.  “It is an honour to recognize the gifted winners and finalists of this year’s Premier’s Awards for their inspirational work and passion for excellence.”

Wynne spoke at the ninth annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts at a ceremony held at the Royal Ontario Museum to celebrated winners.

Each year, the awards program honours Ontario artists and arts organizations for their remarkable achievements and contribution to arts and culture.

“The Premier’s Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ontario’s artists and arts organizations and their

contributions to our rich cultural diversity,” Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, said.  “Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists and thank you for sharing your creativity and talent with us.”

Jane Bunnett, an internationally acclaimed flutist, saxophonist, pianist and composer, won the Individual Artist Award.

Ms. Bunnett has received many awards throughout her career, including multiple JUNO awards, a Canadian Urban Music Award and a Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Soulpepper Theatre Company, Toronto’s largest non-profit theatre, which has an integrated mission that includes youth outreach initiatives and artist training through the Soulpepper Academy, Canada’s only two-year paid training program for theatre artists of all disciplines, won the Arts Organization Award.

The Emerging Artist of the Year honour went to Christopher Butcher, a trombone player and co-leader of a brass band.

He is an accomplished musician who has played in the bands of many of Canada’s most prestigious artists.

Fostering a thriving arts and culture sector is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

The Premier’s Awards are open to artists and arts organizations engaged in any professional arts practice in Ontario whose artistic work or service spans at least 10 years.

The awards are administered by the Ontario Arts Council and the winners are selected by jury, and the Emerging Artist of the Year is chosen by the winner of the Individual Artist Award.

However, nominations for the 2016 awards are being accepted until December 1, 2015 and any Ontario resident may submit a nomination.