TORONTO, May 21, 2008 - Arts students in Toronto and Hamilton and on Manitoulin Island will have access to increased developmental opportunities, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for 16 national arts-training organizations that support the development of promising artists.
"Our Government is proud to support the efforts of organizations that train our Canadian talent in such disciplines as dance, music, theatre, and visual arts," said Minister Verner. "These organizations make a significant contribution to the cultural vitality of our country by helping promising students develop into outstanding artists, musicians, dancers, and actors."
"We are delighted that Minister Verner and the Government of Canada continue to invest in professional arts training and recognize its central role in nurturing exceptional Canadian talent," said Jeff Melanson, Executive Director and Co-CEO of Canada's National Ballet School. "This announcement will further ensure the development of Canadian artists and secure Canada's place on the international artistic stage."
The 16 organizations will receive more than $14 million on a multi-year or annual basis for the ongoing operational activities of their professional training programs, thereby providing young artists with the tools they need to prepare for a national or international career.
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the National Arts Training Contribution Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program supports independent, non-profit, incorporated Canadian organizations that train Canadians for professional national and international careers in the arts.
A backgrounder is attached.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
N.B. Some organizations have applied for multi-year funding under this program. Funding for other organizations is contingent on subsequent applications.
BACKGROUNDER
SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL ARTS TRAINING CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM
Funding for 16 Ontario Organizations from 2008-2009 to 2010-2011
The National Arts Training Contribution Program provides stabilizing support to organizations that play an important role in preparing Canadians for national and international artistic careers. Since the founding of the National Ballet School, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the National Youth Orchestra in 1959-1960, the Government of Canada has recognized the importance of having top-level training available in Canada.
Minister Verner is announcing funding through the National Arts Training Contribution Program in 2008-2009, and in some cases 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, for the following 16 Ontario organizations.
BALLET CREOLE - Toronto - $25,000
Founded in 1990, Ballet Creole is composed of a professional performing company, a professional training program, and a school of performing arts. Artistic Director and Founder Patrick Parson is noted for his pioneering work in the Canadian dance milieu. Ballet Creole's professional training program provides full-time training in Afro-Caribbean dance styles and techniques to approximately 20 students per year. Its curriculum is based on traditional and contemporary arts and culture from the African Diaspora. The program lasts two years and incorporates the American-flavoured Dunham training technique.
CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY ENSEMBLE STUDIO Toronto - $200,000
The Ensemble Studio, founded in 1980, has trained some of the outstanding figures in the contemporary opera world, including renowned artists such as Ben Heppner and Isabel Bayrakdarian. More than 87 percent of the Studio's alumni are working in Canada and abroad. Participants chosen through national auditions generally take part in the training for two years, with 26 weeks of training per year. The program is open not only to singers but also to coaches, directors, and conductors. In 2007-2008, there were 13 singers and 1 conductor participating in the training. The students are trained in the full range of elements that must be mastered to have an operatic career and are also provided with the valuable opportunity to rehearse and perform with established performers from the Canadian Opera Company.
THE CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS THEATRE Toronto - $445,000
The Centre for Indigenous Theatre (CIT) was created in 1994. With its three-year training program, CIT has developed a clear methodology based on the traditional songs, dances, and stories of Aboriginal peoples, while expanding its efforts to ensure that it represents the diversity of Aboriginal cultural practices. Its summer Native Theatre School now takes place in Peterborough and, for the first time this summer, in Lethbridge, Alberta. Approximately 35 Aboriginal students from across Canada (15 in the full-time program and a total of 20 in the two summer programs) participate in the training programs each year.
COBA (Collective of Black Artists) INC. - Toronto - $40,000
COBA, which was founded in 1993, is receiving support for its Professional Training Program. COBA's three-year, part-time Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP) has a diverse curriculum that is intended to upgrade technique and artistic ability in traditions of the African Diaspora, while developing an aesthetic that emphasizes the Collective's unique movement style. Approximately seven students participate in COBA's apprentice-based training annually.
THE DANCER TRANSITION RESOURCE CENTRE Toronto - $1,800,000 ($600,000 per year for three years)
The mandate of the Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC), which was founded in 1985, is to help dance artists make necessary transitions into, within, and from professional performing careers. Since its inception, it has assisted more than 9000 dance artists. The DTRC accomplishes its mandate through a program of five types of counselling--academic, career, financial, legal, and personal--as well as through training and subsistence grants. With offices in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver, the DTRC annually directly serves more than 140 dancers by providing transition funding, in the form of retraining grants, special awards, and skill grants, as well as transition support through their "On the Move" career planning program.
DE-BA-JEH-MU-JIG THEATRE GROUP - Wikwemikong, Ontario - $230,000
De-ba-jeh-mu-jig was founded in 1986 on the Wikwemikong Reserve on Manitoulin Island and since that time has contributed greatly to the development of professional Aboriginal performing artists, with a particular consideration for artists from isolated, remote, and underserved communities across Canada. Beyond the training of theatre artists, the organization also seeks to develop professionals, such as artistic directors, producers, and administrators, who will contribute to the development of the Aboriginal theatre sector. About 10 students participate in the training each year.
HARBOURFRONT CENTRE'S CRAFT STUDIO RESIDENCE PROGRAM - Toronto - $90,000 ($30,000 per year for three years)
The Craft Studio has been part of Harbourfront Centre's operations since programming began in the mid-1970s. It assists emerging craftspeople (glass, ceramics, metal, and textiles) from across Canada in establishing professional careers, while at the same time exposing the public to the world of contemporary craft. The program is a combination of both practical and instructional programming and provides an environment where recent graduates from a recognized craft, design, or art college or university can further develop their skills and ideas. The residencies (approximately 15) include full use of studios, mentoring by working artists, conferences, exhibitions, and teaching and marketing opportunities. Graduates of the program have gone on to win prestigious awards such as the Jean A. Chalmers Award, the Prix François Houdé, and the Saidye Bronfman Award. They have been awarded provincial and Canada Council grants, have had their work exhibited and published widely, and are teaching at various universities and colleges in Canada and the United States.
KOREAN DANCE STUDIES SOCIETY OF CANADA - Toronto - $25,000
The Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada provides training in traditional Korean dance, with some contemporary influences. The organization's professional three-year training program is oriented to producing professional dancers who will pursue professional careers in Canada and abroad. Since 1987, the artistic director and founder of the school, Mi Young Kim, has worked to promote Korean dance traditions through teaching and the performances of her professional dance company. Her work has had a significant impact in fostering and promoting the vitality of Korean dance in Canada.
NATIONAL ACADEMY ORCHESTRA Hamilton - $450,000
Since 1988, the National Academy Orchestra has provided orchestra training sessions to young musicians and prepared them for careers in orchestras in Canada and internationally. The Orchestra's unique association with the Brott Music Festival annually provides about 55 young musicians with the opportunity to rehearse and play with experienced musicians, thus developing their professional abilities and expertise.
NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL Toronto - $4,900,000
Canada's National Ballet School (NBS) is a world leader in the training of professional dancers and teachers. Its core program is the Professional Ballet Program, which offers full-time dance training, academic education, and residence for talented students from Grades 6 to 12, and intensive dance training for post-secondary students. NBS also offers a full-time teacher-training program and a host of part-time and recreational programs for students from age 6 to adult. NBS graduates can be found as dancers, choreographers, artistic directors, teachers, and administrators in more than 50 dance companies worldwide and even more schools around the globe. NBS will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009.
NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA Toronto - $1,100,000 ($550,000 per year for two years)
Since 1960, the National Youth Orchestra has provided orchestra training sessions to young musicians and prepared them for careers in orchestras in Canada and internationally. The Orchestra annually provides a rigorous summer training program to about 95 young musicians. The average percentage of NYOC graduates in Canadian orchestras is 37 percent, and more than 50 international orchestras include at least one NYOC alumnus.
NRTYAKALA INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE - Toronto - $100,000
Nrtyakala Indian Classical Dance was founded in 1976 by Menaka Thakkar, an internationally recognized dancer and teacher in the Bharatanatyam and Odissi classical Indian dance traditions. Nrtyakala provides training of the highest standards to produce professional performers, choreographers, teachers and scholars who will preserve, propagate, and create traditional and contemporary works in Indian dance. The professional training program is delivered to approximately 115 students through weekly and biweekly classes and an intensive summer training program. The professional training program lasts for approximately 10 years, with two regular semesters of teaching (September to December and January to June).
OBSIDIAN THEATRE COMPANY - Toronto - $120,000 ($40,000 per year for three years)
The Obsidian Theatre Company provides training to actors, directors, producers, designers, and technicians. It trains theatre practitioners by providing a hands-on training program, thus increasing the potential and opportunity of culturally diverse artists to contribute to the world stage. The Obsidian Theatre Company actively explores, develops, and documents a uniquely African-Canadian theatrical aesthetic. The organization was founded in 1999 and promotes the concept of skills sharing by providing opportunities for senior, mid-level and emerging artists to work together. This is done through apprenticeships, in directing, lighting, dramaturgy, and other professional theatre disciplines.
THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC - GLENN GOULD SCHOOL Toronto - $3,750,000 ($1,250,000 per year for three years)
The Glenn Gould School was created in 1997 to advance the Royal Conservatory of Music's mission to develop human potential through music and the arts. The school aims to shape young musicians whose superior performance talents are augmented by skills in communicating effectively with a variety of audiences, teaching competencies, technological expertise, and commitment to the development of the relevancy of serious music making in Canadian society. Its chief objective is to make it possible for the most gifted performers to receive their advanced training in a Canadian context.
The School's curriculum is designed with academic and supplementary courses, but its primary focus is on performance and that makes it unique in Canada. The School offers a four year undergraduate performance diploma program for piano, voice, and orchestral instruments, and a two year post graduate artist diploma program for voice, solo piano, orchestral instruments, and performance and pedagogy (piano).
SAMPRADAYA DANCE ACADEMY Mississauga - $225,000 ($75,000 per year for three years)
The Sampradaya Dance Academy was founded in 1980 by Lata Pada, an internationally recognized Bharatanatyam dancer. The Academy's Professional Training Program, with approximately 80 students, is delivered through weekly classes and a four week summer intensive program. Through her dance company, Artistic Director Lata Pada has been working to develop a strong presence for the art form within the Canadian dance scene and has been pursuing a wide range of activities over the years to achieve this through the presentation of concerts in prestigious venues, touring, cross cultural partnerships, and outreach activities such as workshops and lecture demonstrations in schools and universities.
THE SCHOOL OF TORONTO DANCE THEATRE Toronto $585,000 ($195,000 per year for three years)
Since 1968, the School of Toronto Dance Theatre has provided instruction in the arts and techniques of modern dance as a performing and creative art and has had a major impact on the world of modern dance, graduating many significant figures in Canadian dance, including Peggy Baker. While it has a close relationship with the Toronto Dance Theatre, its dancers have also entered virtually every modern dance company in Canada and in many other countries.
