TACF HONOURS FIVE OUTSTANDING TORONTO ARTISTS

Toronto Arts Council Foundation (TACF) honoured five Toronto artists for their vision, leadership and outstanding accomplishments on September 27 at City Hall.

Sky Gilbert, playwright, poet, novelist, director, actor and drag queen extraordinaire, was presented with the Margo Bindhardt Award, a $10,000 prize that honours Toronto artists whose leadership and vision have had a significant impact on the arts and arts awareness in the city. Gilbert is the co-founder and was artistic director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre from 1979 to 1997, giving voice to gay artists. Gilbert continues to be an outspoken advocate on issues affecting gays and lesbians.

Award-winning playwright, director and producer, Djanet Sears received the William Kilbourn Award, a $5000 prize that recognizes an artist, creator, volunteer, teacher or administrator whose work is a celebration of life through the arts in Toronto. Her work includes Harlem Duet, The Adventures Of a Black Girl in Search of God and Afrika Solo – Canada’s first published stage play by a woman of African descent. Sears is a founding member of the Obsidian Theatre Company.

Writer and Storyteller, Itah Sadu, who shares the rich oral traditions of the Caribbean, Africa and North America, was presented with the $5000 Marilyn Lastman Award for making a significant contribution in the field of arts education. Sadu is a well known author of five best-selling children’s books and travels throughout the province, capturing the imagination of thousands of children with stories about Black history and women’s issues.

Marshall Pynkoski, renowned for making the single most significant contribution in Canada to the development of baroque opera and its re-emergence as an art form in Canada and abroad, was given the $10,00 Muriel Sherrin Award for outstanding accomplishments and international initiatives in the fields of music and dance. Pynkoski is the founder and co-artistic director of Opera Atelier.

Celebrated singer, songwriter and humanitarian, Molly Johnson received the Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition. This is a $10,000 cash prize presented to an individual, ensemble or organization in recognition of creative, performing, administrative, volunteer or philanthropic contributions to the musical life in Toronto. Molly is the founder and driving force behind the Kumbaya Foundation, now an annual festival of music, art, education and compassion that has raised close to $1 million for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards are presented every two years to artists, creators, administrators and volunteers in recognition of their outstanding contributions to arts and culture in the city of Toronto.

For more information on TACF Awards, please click here.