The CCA's 2004 National Arts Awards Winners

Ottawa, November 10th, 2004 - A dynamic husband and wife team with a history of cultural patronage and one of the shining lights of the theatre community will receive the Canadian Conference of the Arts' 2004 National Arts Awards at a ceremony in Regina on November 19, 2004. The CCA is pleased to announce John and Barbara Poole and Mallory Gilbert as the award winners for 2004.

The Keith Kelly Award for Cultural Leadership will be presented to one of Canada's most respected arts managers, Mallory Gilbert. General Manager of the Tarragon Theatre for more than 25 years, Gilbert has also worked tirelessly as a volunteer and advocate in the theatre community, serving actively on the board of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), the Toronto Theatre Alliance, and on the advisory boards of the University of Toronto, Arts Administration Program, and George Brown Theatre Arts Program. She was only the third person named as an Honorary Life Member of PACT earlier this year when the organization recognized her 20 years of work as a volunteer member of their board, including time as a regional representative, as Vice President, as President, and as Past President.

Cathy Smalley, PACT's Executive Director from 1987 to 1992, said of Mallory: "I can't think about my years at PACT without thinking of Mallory…She stands with you when things are tough, and is ready to celebrate when things go well. Her unshakeable commitment to PACT, her wisdom and support, her generous gifts of time and energy - well, there's no question that I was a better Executive Director, and PACT a stronger organization, because of Mallory."

The Keith Kelly Award for Cultural Leadership has been awarded annually since 1998, when it was established to recognize the leadership shown by the former National Director of the CCA during his tenure from 1989-98. It is presented to a Canadian who has made a significant contribution to the arts through advocacy work or the development of cultural policy, or who has otherwise demonstrated leadership in the field. The award is an inscribed medal designed by Ottawa medallic artist Susan Taylor.

The Diplôme d'honneur will be presented to Alberta philanthropists John and Barbara Poole. Active members of their community in Edmonton for close to 40 years, the Pooles took advantage of the extra time they had after the sale of their family business in 1977 to give back to the city in earnest. Notably, they stepped in to revive the dormant Edmonton Community Foundation in 1989, and have since watched it grow into a model of success for community-based organizations. The Foundation, which was without funding when the Pooles took an interest in it, now has assets of over $150 million, and has distributed $45 million to education and various charities.

It has been noted that it is difficult to recognize all of the Pooles' work, as it is often done quietly, with little fanfare. Arts organizations such as the Edmonton Symphony, the Alberta Ballet, the Citadel Theatre, the Glenbow-Alberta Institute, and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award Foundation have all benefited from the Pooles' generosity and commitment to their community.

The Diplôme d'honneur is presented annually to in recognition of a sustained contribution to the cultural life of the country, whether through volunteer activity, mentoring, patronage, individual arts practice or other recognized support. More than 70 of the visionaries and creators of Canada's rich cultural identity, including Glenn Gould, Maureen Forrester, Oscar Peterson, and Pierre Juneau have been recognized since the award's inception in 1954. The award is in the form of a silver talisman designed by the late West Coast craftsmith, Bill Reid.

Recipients of the Canadian Conference of the Arts National Arts Awards are selected by the CCA's Awards Committee, based on nominations received from CCA members.

For more information on CCA Awards, see http://www.ccarts.ca/en/awards/


This year's ceremony will be held Friday, November 19, 2004 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Danbry's (1925 Victoria Avenue, Regina - near the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza). (Attendance is by invitation only.)



For more information:
Kevin Desjardins
Communications and Public Relations Manager
(613) 238 3561 ext.11
Fax (613) 238 4849
www.ccarts.ca