Ottawa arts shining in 2018 Governor General Performing Arts Awards class
Posted Mar 8, 2018 05:55:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two of Ottawa's most recognizable faces in the arts are among six people named laureates of the 2018 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.
Arts advocate and President and CEO of Canada's National Arts Centre (until he retires on June 2, 2018) Peter Herrndorf was honoured alongside singer-songwriter Murray McLauchlan.
Herrndorf thinks it is extremely important that Canadian musicians, dancers, play-writes, actors and actresses continue to be recognized on a national scale through awards like these.
“The other thing that's so important is making sure that artists in English-speaking Canada become known in French-speaking Canada and vice versa,” explained Herrndorf. “After 26 years [the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards] have honoured 219 people, and it tells Canada what a remarkable array of talent we're producing in this country.”
As far as the arts scene in Ottawa goes, Herrndorf believes it's stronger than ever, whether you are focusing on dance, theatre or music.
“In dance for example, I think Ottawa may be the best place in the country to see contemporary dance.” He said, “What Cathy Levy does at the National Arts Centre is incredible, in terms of bringing in the best dancers and choreographers in the world and across the country, to Ottawa.”
Herrndorf believes the city of Ottawa is simply on a roll when it comes to performing arts, and it has to be applauded.
The rest of this year's Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement class includes theatre, film and television producer Andrew Alexander, actress Geneviève Bujold, concert piantist Angela Hewitt, and dancer and choreographer Ginette Laurin.
Musicians, songwriters and activists Tegan and Sara received The National Arts Centre Award at a ceremony Thursday morning. The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts went to Florence Junca Adenot, who has held leadership roles in arts and culture, university administration, public transit, and heritage preservation over the last 45 years.
