Current News

Festival wins Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts

After being shortlisted a the third time, the Guelph Jazz Festival and Colloquium has won the prestigious Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts for 2010. The organization was presented with the $50,000 prize last Thursday at a ceremony at the Liberty Grand in Toronto. One organization is selected annually from a shortlist of six.

In a passionate speech commending artists and arts professionals in attendance for their tireless and sometimes unrecognized efforts improving the lives of others with art, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty quoted John Updike, saying, "what art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit."

The festival is recognized across the country for its contribution to arts in Ontario, as well as internationally for its long history producing and presenting diverse and innovative programming. "As I've said before, the festival is about the music, yes, but it's also about reinvigorating public life with the spirit of dialogue and community," says Artistic Director Ajay Heble, who accepted the award from Premier McGuinty.

"I see the work we do as arts organizations as being more than just about programming. It's about trying to build alternative visions of community and social cooperation, and offering a kind of testing ground for new ways to establish visions of how we can live together, new ways to see and hear the world."

read more

Share |

Marilyn Crispell (USA), solo piano

Acclaimed pianist Marilyn Crispell returns once again to Guelph for a highly anticipated solo recital. Her recent recordings emphasize a more reflective and lyrical side to her masterful piano playing.

Sign-up for the enews newsletter