PAUL GROSS ANNOUNCED AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT CCA 65 TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER
Ottawa, ON (September 8, 2010) – The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) is pleased to announce that acclaimed Canadian actor and director Paul Gross will be the keynote speaker at its 65 anniversary gala dinner. The gala will take place on November 1, 2010 at the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa and will celebrate the CCA’s accomplishments and legacy in Canada’s arts, culture and heritage sector since its inception in 1945.
“We are honoured to have Paul Gross deliver the keynote address at the gala,” says Alain Pineau, National Director, CCA. “The event will bring together members and stakeholders from the cultural community to celebrate the CCA’s history and the importance of arts in Canadian society. An accomplished artist himself and a stimulating speaker, Paul’s presence will greatly enhance the celebration.”
Over the past few years, Gross has been involved with a number of film and television projects including Men with Brooms, H2O, The Trojan Horse, Cra$h & Burn and Gunless. He also wrote, directed, co-produced and starred in Passchendaele, a sweeping First World War epic that was the highest grossing Canadian film of 2008. In 2009, Gross received the National Arts Centre Award and the Pierre Berton Award in recognition of Passchendaele.
Gross is best known for his role as Constable Benton Fraser on the television series Due South, which he also co-wrote and produced. He won three Gemini Awards for his work on the series and later received two Gemini Awards for his performance on the series Slings & Arrows.
During the gala, the CCA will present its annual awards, recognizing individuals who have made a sustained contribution to the development of arts and culture in Canada. The gala will also serve as a kick off for the CCA’s National Policy Conference Artists: Powering the Creative Economy?, taking place November 2 and 3 at the NAC. Gross’ address at the gala will also focus on the theme of the creative
economy.
The gala will take place from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Tickets can be purchased individually or for a table of eight. For rates and registrations forms, visit www.ccarts.ca/en/events/.
The Canadian Conference of the Arts is a national forum for the arts, heritage and cultural community in Canada. It provides research, analysis and consultations on public policies affecting the arts and Canadian cultural institutions and industries. The CCA fosters informed public debate and seeks to advance the cultural life of Canadians.
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