By Matthew Timmins
photos@canmoreleader.com
Wednesday May 07, 2008
It’s no secret that Canmore is full of artistic talent. With numerous exhibits, art shows and festivals, there is always something to see from an upcoming artist in town or an exhibit of work from a long-time resident.
Now, it’s time to honour these talented artists, photographers, musicians and performers, or people and business’ that support or have made long-term commitments to the arts and culture with the Mayor’s Awards for Arts and Culture
There are five awards to be given out; individual artistic achievement, which combines artistic achievement along with creative contribution to the community; group artistic achievement; community builders, for someone who has made a measurable impact on arts and culture in the community and contribute to such groups; corporate community builders; path to excellence, for any up-and-coming artist – although it does not have to be a student.
Heather Dougan of the Town of Canmore emphasizes that while the Path to Excellence Award doesn’t have to be a student, it is the one that is directed the most to students.
“It doesn’t have to be a student, persay, it could be an older person that might benefit from taking some courses. Someone who shows promise. But usually it is directed more towards (students), say someone in grade 12 who is going to go on to university,” she says.
Last years Path to Excellence winner was Stuart Bremner, a young musician who used his award money to help out with fees to join the Banff Centre Summer Brass residency program and a performance major with the University of Toronto Music faculty.
The awards will be part of a luncheon that will include live music and a slideshow of each person nominated or a photo of them doing their craft.
Since there aren’t any categories for different art forms, nominations will be put together in their respectful categories, mixing painting, music, photography, etc. Anyone can be nominated for the awards, and nomination forms will be available soon at the front desk of the Civic Centre and the Rec Centre, as well as on the websites www.canmore.ca and www.mountainartsfoundation.com.
Dougan says they really need the nominations from everyone.
“We really need the response of people to nominate people. That’s how this thing can function is if people actually nominate people. So that’s the most important, that we get those nomination forms in.”
Nomination forms need to be completed by May 28 in order to be accepted for the awards and luncheon on June 13.
Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased up until May 30 for $43.50 per person or $375 for a table of ten.
For more information on getting tickets or nominations contact Heather Dougan at 678-1878 at hdougan@canmore.ca
Publisher: Kim Oliver Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers Limited at Suite 100, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, Alberta, Canada T1W 1N8
