The Prizes are supposed to be a separate entity from Luminato, but still, Luminato will provide marketing, web site and space

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/opinions/chroniqueurs/nathalie-petrowski/200902/11/01-826138-prix-du-canada-en-arts-les-faux-partenaires.php

Report urges ‘creativity-oriented economy’ for Ontario

Amongst the recommendations in this $2.2 Million report are:

— Set a goal of having more than 50 per cent of Ontario’s employment in “creativity-oriented jobs” by 2030. Currently, 30 per cent of jobs are in that category, accounting for nearly half of all wages.

How will the Canada Prizes work towards this goal? If some of that money was set aside for Canadian artists maybe it could. Please don’t tell me we’re supposed to trust in trickle down economics. Obama pretty much blew that zeitgeist away quite recently.

Thanks for your response. As someone who is training with Volcano Theatre as an Artistic Producer on the work they are creating for Luminato in 2010, I am well aware that the festival creates some amazing opportunities for Canadian artists, and I have seen firsthand how we can benefit from collaborating with international artists in the right circumstances under the umbrella of one of Mr Pecault and and Mr Gagliano’s many projects they have gained government funding for.

To your points regarding Mr. Knelman’s articles, I found them disappointing as they did not ask any local artists their opinions on this new funding that will miss them entirely. They also fail to address the key question these announcements imply:

Why is the government cutting funding to Canadian artists (after being embarassed by them in the previous election) in favour of creating the largest prize in the world for international ones? How will Canadian artists ever be able to win these awards if we don’t have the resources to become, “the next YoYo Ma.” There is something fundamentally wrong with this decision.

Anyhow, I have 5 minutes before I run on stage to perform in our original adaption of Stranger playing at The Theatre Centre. Today is a matinee of the existential classic for teenagers, followed by a general admission performance this evening. The average artist wage on this production, which contains only conservatory trained professional artists, is $200/week.

Thanks for taking the time to participate in this conversation.

Best,

Michael

I’d like to clear up a few misconceptions about The Canada Prizes for The Arts and Creativity, AKA The Canada Prizes.

The Canada Prizes are in no way affiliated with Luminato, and Luminato will not receive any money from this year’s federal budget, directly or indirectly.

The Canada Prizes is an individual, not-for-profit organization. While its founders Tony Gagliano and David Pecaut founded Luminato as well, the two organizations operate completely independent of one another.

The Canada Prizes will have its own board members, its own staff, its own operating budget and its own mandate, independent of Luminato.

While participants in the Canada Prizes may have the opportunity to appear in future Luminato festivals, there is no such guarantee and no formal agreement to that effect has been put into place at this time.

As well, to your point about Luminato choosing to support high profile artists over local talent, it should be noted that last year’s festival saw the participation of 1,400 local artists and 215 international artists. Further, Luminato continues to commission works from some of Canada’s leading independent theatre companies, including Ex Machina, Sleeping Dog Theatre and TAPA, among others.

For further information on The Canada Prizes, I urge you to read Martin Knelman’s articles from this week’s Toronto Star, to which I have linked below. The second one in particular deals with the Quebec backlash, as referenced in your earlier comment.

http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/580087

http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/581921

Thanks,

Daniel Davidzon
Publicity Coordinator
Luminato
http://www.Luminato.com

Philip