Toronto, April 26, 2001 — Julia Foster, Chair of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) today announced the appointment of John Brotman, as the new Executive Director of the Ontario Arts Council. Mr. Brotman has been the Acting Executive Director since December, 2000. Following a national recruitment process and community consultation, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Brotman at its April 25th meeting in Sudbury.
“We are proud and excited to have in John someone with a profound knowledge of the arts. He brings real leadership to OAC’s role within the Ontario Government’s family of funders, ” said Julia Foster. “John Brotman is a champion of the Ontario Arts Council’s community-based programming and intends to extend the reach and accountability of these programs.”
“This is a very exciting time for the Ontario Arts Council,” said John Brotman. “We want to see our programs vigorously strengthened and support the work of artists and arts organizations throughout the province. At the same time we see opportunities to forge new alliances in sectors such as tourism, recreation and education while reinforcing existing relationships.“
John Brotman grew up in South Africa and went on to train as a musician and composer in England, Belgium and Italy. He emigrated to Canada in 1977 and became musician-in-residence at Keyano College, Fort McMurray, Alberta, where he organized many arts-in-the-community activities. After working for Alberta Culture in Edmonton, Mr. Brotman joined the Canada Council’s Touring Office as Music Officer where he created programs that supported regional networks and the development of touring across Canada. He then became the Ontario Executive Director of Jeunesses Musicales before joining the Ontario Arts Council’s Music Office in 1989. As OAC’s Music Officer, Mr. Brotman worked closely with all areas of the music community in Ontario. He introduced the innovative Popular Music program in the 1990s, initiated the Changing Arts Practice workshops for orchestras in Ontario with the Guildhall School of England and made OAC’s music programs models of accessibility for all musical genres. In 1999, he was appointed Director of Arts Programs.
OAC Media Contact: Kirsten Gunter, Manager of Communications
Tel: (416) 969-7403. Toll-free outside of Toronto: 1-800-387-0058, ext. 7403.
E-mail: kgunter@arts.on.ca