Finalists Announced for 2011 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards
Today, Toronto Arts Foundation announced the fifteen finalists for the 2011 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards, celebrating those individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Toronto’s vibrant artistic and cultural life.
Today, Toronto Arts Foundation announced the fifteen finalists for the 2011 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards, celebrating those individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Toronto’s vibrant artistic and cultural life.
This year's nominees were chosen by a stellar multi-disciplinary jury which included Peter Chin, Simon Foster, Maureen Hynes, Shannon Litzenberger, Charles Reeve, Sonia Sakamoto-Jog, Jini Stolk, Jordan Tannahill and Jennifer Waring. Winners of the 2011 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards will be announced on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Mayor‟s Arts Awards Lunch.
2011 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards Finalists
Arts for Youth Award finalists:
Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, Theatre Direct, and Young People’s Theatre. This $15,000 cash prize established in 2007 by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck and Jim Pitblado, celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto youth in the arts. The two finalists will receive $2,000, made possible by Diana Bennett and Spencer Lanthier.
Toronto Arts and Business Award finalists:
The Drake Hotel, Roberto Martella, and TD Bank Group. 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 The Globe and Mail, Business for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Foundation. The recipient of this award receives a work of art and will be recognized for its achievement in the Report on Business section of The Globe and Mail.
RBC Emerging Artist Award finalists:
Adam Garnet Jones, Reza Jacobs, and Donna-Michelle St. Bernard. This $7,500 cash prize is presented to an emerging Toronto artist working in the new media or performing arts discipline in celebration of current accomplishments and future potential. In addition, finalists will receive $1,000 each. Established in 2006 by RBC Foundation, this award is intended to support the development or completion of new work.
Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Music finalists:
Andrew Burashko, Rita Chiarelli, and Trichy Sankaran. A $10,000 cash prize presented to an artist or creator who has made a contribution to the cultural life of Toronto through outstanding achievement in music. 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 finalists:
Sudha Khandwani, Jane Marsland, and Don Oravec This $10,000 cash prize co-sponsored by the family of Margo Bindhardt and Toronto Arts Foundation is presented biennially to an individual who has demonstrated creative cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto.
In addition, each award winner will receive an original work of art commissioned by the Toronto Arts Foundation. This year TAF has chosen Katie Bethune-Leamen, a contemporary artist living and working in Toronto, to create the piece. Also new this year, each finalist will be photographed as part of the Finalists Portrait Series. These beautiful stills will be shot by Denise Grant Photography, and will be featured online, courtesy of NOW Magazine.
Toronto Arts Foundation exists to provide the creative opportunity for donors to support the arts in Toronto. TAF believes that a great city demands great art, and by supporting, celebrating, financing and advocating for Toronto’s local artists, we’re improving the quality of life of all Torontonians. Although separate entities, the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation benefit by being run as sister organizations, ensuring close contact with the arts sector in Toronto and an ongoing awareness of activities and needs throughout the community. For more information on the awards and the work of the Toronto Arts Foundation, please visit www.torontoarts.org/awards.html.
For more information and biographies of the finalists, please click here