This morning I was honoured to be invited to attend the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards laureates announcement. The press conference took place in the offices of the Performing Arts building on Elgin Street. The gala will be held at the National Arts Centre on June 29th. This annual event is one of the top Galas of the Ottawa area and brings together the top artistic minds of the Canadian performing arts community. Tickets are going on sale at noon today, and will likely go fast so don’t delay and miss this memorable night!
This announcement was very high class as the room was full with over 100 people in attendance all dressed up like they were almost off to the gala already. The performing arts draws a high element of society and an admirable and talented group of people who are very passionate about their field.
Please visit their website at http://ggpaa.ca for all information on the awards gala, the bio of present and past laureates. and of course, to get your tickets!
The Laureates for this year’s Lifetime Artistic Achievement awards are:
Jean Beaudin – Film and television director and screenwriter
Hailed as a consummate director of Quebec literature, Jean Beaudin has delighted film and television audiences throughout his career as a director and screenwriter. From his early days at the National Film Board to his monumentally successful historical film dramas and TV series, his work stands out for its authenticity, simplicity and visual beauty, and has been instrumental in transmitting our cultural heritage and shaping a distinctive voice in Quebec and Canadian cinema.
“The key is to make films with a lot of love, about things you feel strongly about,” he says.
Michael J. Fox – Actor, writer, 
producer and humanitarian
Michael J. Fox is a respected and accomplished screen actor, best known for his award-winning work in the television series Family Ties and Spin City and the Back to the Future film trilogy. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000. He has received numerous humanitarian awards and has become an outspoken and inspiring advocate for people living with Parkinson’s.
Brigitte Haentjens – Theatre director and artistic director
Passionate about language and literature, keenly interested in issues of identity, sexuality and power, Brigitte Haentjens is known for her dazzlingly original, avant-garde productions and her thoughtful and poetic approach to contemporary theatre practice. In a career spanning nearly 40 years, she has directed some 60 productions and garnered a host of awards and honours. Her remarkable achievements as a stage director stand alongside her outstanding work as a leader of major arts institutions. She is an iconic figure in the theatre community, and her contribution to Canada’s cultural profile is immense.
Martin Short – Actor, writer and producer
Acclaimed stage and screen actor Martin Short is known for his wacky comedic characters and dead-on impressions, notably on Second City Television (SCTV) and Saturday Night Live. In a career spanning over 40 years, he has delighted audiences across North America and beyond, and made laughter an important Canadian export.
Yves Sioui Durand – Writer, theatre and film director, actor and producer
Writer, director, filmmaker and actor Yves Sioui Durand is a pioneering figure in contemporary Indigenous theatre and the founder of Ondinnok, Quebec’s first French-language Aboriginal theatre company. In a career spanning over 32 years, he has become known for his transcultural exploration of the contemporary Aboriginal experience through richly allegorical mythology. Healing the collective abscess, eradicating the alienation that stifles imagination, proposing a new ethic: for him, this is the role of Indigenous theatre. His artistic creativity updates an age-old cultural legacy for a contemporary audience while respecting ancestral codes, and as an artist, he believes passionately in the reconstruction of Aboriginal cultures through art.
The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts:
William Loewen
Entrepreneur and philanthropist William H. (Bill) Loewen has provided leadership, direction and financial support to the performing arts for over three decades. A passionate music lover, he has a close association with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, to which he and his wife Shirley have donated over a million dollars through the W.H. & S.E. Loewen Foundation. Other organizations he has supported include the Manitoba Opera, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Choral Association, the Winnipeg Chamber Music Association, and the St. Norbert Arts Centre. As well, his company has provided payroll services as a sponsorship to arts organizations across Canada.
See the full press release in pure format below:
NEWS RELEASE
CELEBRATING CANADIAN TALENT:
2017 GOVERNOR GENERAL’S PERFORMING ARTS AWARD LAUREATES
ANNOUNCED
OTTAWA, March 9, 2017 – The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation is
pleased to announce our 25th-anniversary recipients of Canada’s most prestigious performing
arts awards.
The laureates of the 2017 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) for Lifetime
Artistic Achievement are:
- Jean Beaudin – Film and television director and screenwriter
Hailed as a consummate director of Quebec literature, Jean Beaudin has delighted film and
television audiences throughout his career as a director and screenwriter. From his early days at
the National Film Board to his monumentally successful historical film dramas and TV series, his
work stands out for its authenticity, simplicity and visual beauty, and has been instrumental in
transmitting our cultural heritage and shaping a distinctive voice in Quebec and Canadian cinema.
“The key is to make films with a lot of love, about things you feel strongly about,” he says.
- Michael J. Fox, O.C. – Actor, writer, producer and humanitarian
Michael J. Fox is a respected and accomplished screen actor, best known for his award-winning
work in the television series Family Ties and Spin City and the Back to the Future film trilogy.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, he founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson’s Research in 2000. He has received numerous humanitarian awards and has become
an outspoken and inspiring advocate for people living with Parkinson’s.
- Brigitte Haentjens – Theatre director and artistic director
Passionate about language and literature, keenly interested in issues of identity, sexuality and
power, Brigitte Haentjens is known for her dazzlingly original, avant-garde productions and her
thoughtful and poetic approach to contemporary theatre practice. In a career spanning nearly
40 years, she has directed some 60 productions and garnered a host of awards and honours. Her
remarkable achievements as a stage director stand alongside her outstanding work as a leader of
major arts institutions. She is an iconic figure in the theatre community, and her contribution to
Canada’s cultural profile is immense.
- Martin Short, C.M. – Actor, writer and producer
Acclaimed stage and screen actor Martin Short is known for his wacky comedic characters and
dead-on impressions, notably on Second City Television (SCTV) and Saturday Night Live. In a
career spanning over 40 years, he has delighted audiences across North America and beyond, and
made laughter an important Canadian export.
- Yves Sioui Durand – Writer, theatre and film director, actor and producer
Writer, director, filmmaker and actor Yves Sioui Durand is a pioneering figure in contemporary
Indigenous theatre and the founder of Ondinnok, Quebec’s first French-language Aboriginal
theatre company. In a career spanning over 32 years, he has become known for his transcultural
exploration of the contemporary Aboriginal experience through richly allegorical mythology.
Healing the collective abscess, eradicating the alienation that stifles imagination, proposing a new
ethic: for him, this is the role of Indigenous theatre. His artistic creativity updates an age-old
cultural legacy for a contemporary audience while respecting ancestral codes, and as an artist, he
believes passionately in the reconstruction of Aboriginal cultures through art.
The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts
- William H. Loewen, C.M.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist William H. (Bill) Loewen has provided leadership, direction and
financial support to the performing arts for over three decades. A passionate music lover, he has
a close association with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, to which he and his wife Shirley have
donated over a million dollars through the W.H. & S.E. Loewen Foundation. Other organizations
he has supported include the Manitoba Opera, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Choral
Association, the Winnipeg Chamber Music Association, and the St. Norbert Arts Centre. As well,
his company has provided payroll services as a sponsorship to arts organizations across Canada.
“We are thrilled to honour these extraordinary Canadian artists whose genius and talent have
made an indelible contribution to our lives,” said Douglas Knight, Chair of the Governor General’s
Performing Arts Awards Foundation (GGPAAF). Added Paul-André Fortier, Co-chair of the
Foundation, “These prestigious awards continue to demonstrate the extraordinary pool of
artistic talent in this country, as well as the extent to which the performing arts are truly part of
who we are as Canadians.”
“The performing arts hold a special place in our society, entertaining us, inspiring us and
engaging our minds and emotions,” said Governor General David Johnston. “I am proud to
present these prestigious awards to such deserving performers and champions of the arts.
Canada and the world are more thoughtful, vibrant and rich places thanks to their vision and
determination.”
“The 2017 laureates are among the world’s finest and best-loved performing artists. As
Canadians, we are extremely proud of them and share in their success as they reflect Canada’s
boundless creative spirit and its enduring impact on audiences around the world,” said
Simon Brault, O.C., Q.C., Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts.
In addition to honouring the 2017 laureates, the Awards feature a unique Mentorship Program,
a partnership inaugurated in 2008 between the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards
Foundation, Canada’s National Arts Centre (NAC) and The Keg Spirit Foundation. Designed to
unite past Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award recipients and talented mid-career artists, the
program serves as a creative catalyst and as an investment in future Canadian artistic
achievement. This program is a unique opportunity for the potential laureates of tomorrow to
benefit from the creativity and experience of icons who have blazed the trail before them. This
year’s mentor is Karen Kain, C.C., Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, artist and
arts advocate and recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Lifetime Artistic
Achievement Award in 2002 and the National Arts Centre Award in 1997. Robert Binet,
Choreographic Associate of The National Ballet of Canada, is this year’s protégé.
The 2017 laureates will be honoured at two events in Ottawa in June, culminating in the
Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala presented by Birks at the National Arts Centre
on Thursday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. “As a company that has been part of Canadians’ lives since
1879, Birks is delighted to sponsor the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala,” said
Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Birks Group. “We take pride in
being part of our customers’ special moments and celebrations, and this 25th-anniversary Gala
honouring some of our country’s most talented artists is a great occasion to be celebrating
across the nation.”
The gala, produced by the National Arts Centre, will feature superb performances, evocative
short films about the Award laureates (created by the National Film Board of Canada), and
personal tributes by guest stars. “Since 2008, we’ve been partnering with the Governor General’s
Performing Arts Awards to create short film portraits that capture the visionary talent and
dedication of the laureates. These Ilms are a way to bring Canadians into the celebraJonKand
also stand as lasting works of cinematic art in their own right. As we mark the 25th anniversary of
the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, our GGPAA collection has grown to a
remarkable 76 films. We’re honoured to be part of the GGPAA once again and wish you all the
best on 25 outstanding years!” said Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and
Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada.
This year the Gala Awards show will be live streamed by broadcast partner CBC/Radio-Canada on
cbc.ca and radio-canada.ca as part of their 2017 programming. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada
will air a one-hour special presentation of the Gala, on both CBC and ICI Radio-Canada Télé,
on June 30, 2017 at 9 p.m. EST.
Tickets for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala go on sale to the public
on March 9 at noon ET at the NAC Box Office in Ottawa and through Ticketmaster,
1-888-991-2787 or www.ticketmaster.ca.
Created in 1992 under the distinguished patronage of the late Right Honourable
Ramon John Hnatyshyn, then Governor General of Canada, and his wife Gerda, these prestigious
awards are presented annually to Canadians whose accomplishments have inspired and enriched
the cultural life of our country. Nominations for these highly acclaimed awards are submitted by
members of the public to recognize artists who have made a lifetime commitment and
contribution to the performing arts in Canada.
Join us on Twitter and Facebook!
GGPAA: @GovGPAA | @PrixGGAS | facebook.com/ggawards.prixgg |#GGawards
ARTS NATION: @ARTS_NATION| @NATIONENART | facebook.com/artsnation.nationenart |
#artsnation
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For more information or to arrange an interview with a 2017 recipient, please contact:
James Kenny
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
D: +1 613-786-9958
M: +1 613-612-7488
F: +1 613-238-8642