News Release

June 21, 2021: Recipients for the fourth annual Indigenous Voices Awards (IVAs) were announced today, Indigenous Peoples Day. During an online celebration, $39,000 CAD was awarded across nine categories in recognition of exceptional emerging Indigenous writers working in English, French, and Indigenous languages. “As Co-Chairs of the fourth annual celebrations of the Indigenous Voices Awards, we are thrilled to announce

Toronto, June 9, 2021 – Today, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) and the Ontario Arts Foundation (OAF) released the shortlists for the 2021 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards.  The Schwartz Awards are the only Canadian literary award where student juries work together to choose the winning books. Student juries from Admiral Collingwood Elementary School in Collingwood, Ontario will meet by videoconference to

Toronto, May 27, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the Ontario Arts Foundation is very pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Bennett as Executive Director. Bruce will start his new role on June 7, 2021, following the retirement of Alan Walker after 11 years as Executive Director. Bruce brings over 20 years of experience as a management consultant

Toronto, May 5, 2021 – Toronto-based costume designer Ming Wong is the 2021 recipient of the $25,000 Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design.  The award is given annually to a professional costume designer in Ontario in mid-career to further enrich their career. About Ming Wong Ming is a Toronto costume designer and has worked on a variety of

Toronto, April 9, 2021 – The Ontario Arts Foundation and The Gordon Foundation are pleased to announce the 2020 grants from the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program: Acquisition Grants Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa $7,500 Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener $9,000 Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa $5,000 Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay $10,000 Development Grants Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston $6,000

Toronto, April 6, 2021 – Ruben Esguerra is the recipient of the $10,000 Ontario Arts Foundation Artist Educator Award.  The award is given annually to an Ontario resident who exemplifies excellence in arts education. About Ruben Esguerra Ruben “Beny” Esguerra aka Dr. Ru arrived as a child in Tkaronto (Toronto, Canada) from Bacatá (Bogotá, Colombia) as a political refugee with

Toronto – March 22, 2021 – The Ontario Arts Foundation announced today that over $4.0 million in endowment income was paid to 259 arts organizations across the Province of Ontario. This represents income earned on endowments created by arts organizations and funded jointly by the private sector and the government through two matching programs:  the Arts Endowment Fund, and

Toronto  – March 10, 2021 – The Gina Wilkinson Prize Committee is pleased to announce that Yvette Nolan from Saskatoon, Treaty 6 Territory, and the homeland of the Mètis, is the recipient of the 10th annual Gina Wilkinson Prize. This year marks a new beginning for Gina’s Prize. Reimagined, it now recognizes woman-identifying theatre artists who, at any stage

Toronto, January 26, 2021 – After eleven years of excellent leadership of the Ontario Arts Foundation Alan Walker has decided to retire in June 2021. As part of the planning for this transition, the Board of Directors has formed a Search Committee chaired by Board of Directors Chair Anthony Graham.  The Search Committee has engaged Searchlight

Toronto, December 23, 2020 – Ottawa-based artist, Mike Gough is this year’s recipient of the Laura Ciruls Painting Award. The $5,000 award is given annually to recognize an Ontario based mid-career painter. Born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Gough has exhibited both nationally and internationally in over 40 exhibitions. His work appears in private, corporate and public collections in England and