The Arts Community Turns Out to Celebrate Arts Day at Queen’s Park

Almost 200 representatives from Ontario’s arts community attended a reception at Queen’s Park on November 14^th. The Arts Day at Queen’s Park was hosted by Jennifer Mossop, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Culture, Julia Munro, Conservative Culture Critic and Cheri DiNovo, NDP Culture Critic to raise awareness of the arts among their fellow MPPs. Earlier in the month, the three MPPs had written a letter to all OAC-funded arts organizations encouraging them to reinforce the contribution of the arts to their communities when meeting with their MPPs.

Albert Schultz, Soulpepper Theatre’s Artistic Director, introduced the Honourable Caroline di Cocco, Minister of Culture, the three MPPs and OAC Chair, Martha Durdin at the reception and gave a stirring wrap-up speech.

Throughout the week, several teams of arts representatives met with individual MPPs and spoke in support of OAC’s request to the government for an additional $35 million over three years. Ontario’s arts service organizations joined in this effort.

Initiated by Jennifer Mossop, the non-partisan event also featured a noon hour performance on the grand staircase of the legislature by two OAC-supported music groups, the High Park Choirs of Toronto and Malagasy musician, Donné Roberts.


Photo Gallery
Click on the above link to view images taken during Arts Day at Queen's Park on November 14, 2006.

Photo
Members of the arts community at the reception for Arts Day at Queen’s Park on November 14th. (Photo: Bard Azima)