Patricia Fraser honoured with inaugural arts award

Patricia Fraser / Photo by Dianna Last

>> by Brittany Duggan
On November 18th, Patricia Fraser was named the recipient of the Robert Johnston Award for exemplary human resources practices in the arts and culture sector. Artistic director of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre since 1993, Fraser has expanded and improved the professional training program while concurrently supporting the administrative, artistic staff and professional artists who teach and choreograph at the school. Praised for her work as an artist, teacher and arts advisor, Fraser was nominated for this inaugural award by Michael Jones, arts program director at the Metcalf Foundation. The award is the first of its kind in Ontario’s arts and culture sector and was created this year by Cultural Careers Council Ontario (CCCO) to honour former CCCO Executive Director Robert Johnston. “I’m deeply honoured and humbled to receive the inaugural Robert Johnston Award. None of us do what we do for reward, but it’s really lovely to be acknowledged for one’s work,” said Fraser in her acceptance speech at The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. As part of the award, Fraser received $1500 and an engraved, sterling silver pen.