Double blow to performing arts awards

There will no winners this year and no CBC telecast in the future

Paul Gessell
CanWest News Service

OTTAWA -- There will be no Governor General's Performing Arts Awards presented this year and don't count on seeing the usual televised version of the awards gala on CBC or Radio-Canada ever again.

Brian Anthony, executive director of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation, the not-for-profit organization that has run the awards since 1992, made the announcement yesterday.

The next gala will be held May 3, 2008, at Ottawa's National Arts Centre, instead of this fall, Anthony said.

It means there will be no 2007 winners of the awards, which honour lifetime achievement in performing arts.

That's because the NAC, which has traditionally produced the gala and has helped raise funds for it, is too busy with its own fundraising events this fall.

And CBC and Radio-Canada, which have traditionally taped the gala and broadcast it nationwide during the Christmas season, have indicated they will not do so anymore.

Anthony did not provide a reason for the broadcasters' decision and attempts from CanWest News Service to obtain comment from the CBC were unsuccessful.

Anthony said his foundation is seeking an alternate way of bringing the awards gala to the rest of the country.

In addition to the NAC gala, there is a formal awards ceremony at Rideau Hall and a presentation of the award winners to MPs in the House of Commons.

Past recipients of the awards have included singers Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Robbie Robertson, actors Donald Sutherland, Gordon Pinsent and Martha Henry and dancers Veronica Tennant, Karen Kain and Celia Franca.

Six recipients are chosen each year by juries selected from disciplines such as dance, theatre, pop music, classical music and broadcasting.

The awards carry a $15,000 purse and are meant to celebrate lifetime achievement.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007