Paulette Gagnon

Council for the Arts in Ottawa (CAO) is delighted to announce that this year's Victor Tolgesy Arts Award recipient is Paulette Gagnon

Paulette Gagnon received the award on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the 20th Annual CAO Sweetheart Lunch for the Arts in the Jean Pigott Hall at Ottawa City Hall. The Victor Tolgesy Arts Award is presented as a joint venture of the City of Ottawa and Council for the Arts in Ottawa. A cash prize of $2,500 is associated with this award.

In addition to the cash prize, Ms. Gagnon received a bronze special edition version of the 1963 sculpture by the late Victor Tolgesy, entitled Seed and Flower. The award, named in honour of Ottawa artist and community volunteer, Victor Tolgesy, recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the arts in Ottawa. Among the 19 past recipients are: Trudi LeCaine and John Roberston, who were the first recipients of the award in 1988, Pat Durr (1989), Barbara Clark (1994), Peter Boneham (1997), Julian Armour (2000), Jennifer Dickson (2001), and Tom Henighan (2008).

Tara Wong, Council for the Arts in Ottawa's Awards Chair, noted, "Ms Gagnon's accomplishments throughout her career demonstrate a commitment to building an appreciation of French theatre and francophone artists. The Selection Committee was impressed with her tireless efforts to establish La Nouvelle Scène, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. Her work at the provincial and national levels has been grounded by her connection to the artists working in communities. Paulette is often found on the front line as she represents artists' interests and advocates on their behalf. Her contribution has moved the arts community forward and will be felt for decades to come."

Originally from Hearst, Ms. Gagnon studied in northern Ontario, specifically at Direction jeunesse and at Théatre Action. In 1990, she became Executive Director of Théatre du Nouvel-Ontario, in Sudbury, after having held different coordination and development positions. In addition, she has worked with l'Alliance culture de l'Ontario and was appointed Franco-Ontarian Officer at the Ontario Arts Council. By the end of the 1990s, she became the Executive Director of La Nouvelle Scène, and in 2003 she assumed the presidency of La Fédération culturelle canadienne française. The Ontario Minister of Culture appointed Ms. Gagnon to the Minister's Advisory Council for Arts and Culture in 2004. For the last three years she has been the Executive Director of the l'Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (ATFC).

Ms. Gagnon is without a doubt a figurehead for the Franco-Ontarien arts community. She had a key role in the creation of La Nouvelle Scène. At the helm of l'Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (ATFC), she has been able to bring forward several important issues such as artist training, and dissemination of Franco-Ontarian and Franco-Canadian theatre.