Canada Council for the Arts to oversee Canada Prizes

>> by Brittany Duggan
As proposed last year in Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2009, the Government of Canada has reiterated its commitment to create the Canada Prizes for the Arts and Creativity. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced on May 3rd, 2010, that the Canada Council for the Arts will be responsible for administering the new cultural awards. "As promised, the Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to create the Canada Prizes for the Arts and Creativity," said Minister Moore in a Canadian Heritage news release. "These Prizes will recognize outstanding Canadian artistic achievements and will help brand Canada as a centre of excellence. We are confident that the Advisory Panel, composed of prominent Canadians from the cultural sector, will contribute to the successful future of this initiative." Members of the advisory panel are set to meet with key figures in the arts and cultural sector, as well as receive feedback from Canadians through an online consultation process regarding the best model for the Canada Prizes.