Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award
for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards are Canada’s foremost distinction for excellence in the performing arts. Created in 1992 by the late Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn (1934–2002), then Governor General of Canada, the Awards have become a celebration of excellence that introduces Canadians to important artists, raises our awareness of achievement in varied disciplines, and invites us to applaud the performing arts “heroes” whose passion and creativity move, entertain and inspire us.

Each year, the prestigious Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards are presented to six performing artists for their achievements and contributions to the cultural enrichment of Canada in the fields of broadcasting, classical music, dance, film, popular music and theatre. The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts is a companion award given to an individual or group to recognize outstanding contribution in voluntary service to Canada’s performing arts.

The recipient is presented with a specially commissioned artwork created by a Canadian artist and a commemorative medallion provided by the Royal Canadian Mint.

RECIPIENT ELIGIBILITY

Recipients of the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and their contribution made in the service of the Canadian community. Voluntarism is defined as giving personal time and expertise, displaying generosity, and/or establishing a history of financial support in the service of a community, without direct or indirect financial or other compensation for the service.

Members of the Boards of Directors of the following organizations are NOT eligible to receive an Award in any year during which they are actively serving on the Board:

• Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation
• National Arts Centre
• National Arts Centre Foundation
• Canada Council for the Arts
• Canadian Conference of the Arts
• National Film Board of Canada

No awards will be given posthumously. Awards will be given only to persons who are living on the date the recipients are announced publicly.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The principal criterion for assessing nominations for the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts is the quality and scope of the voluntary contribution made by the nominee(s) to the performing arts in Canada over an extended period.

The completeness, quality, accuracy and strength of documentation submitted are essential parts of your nomination, because the selection juries rely heavily on this material. Each jury may be reviewing dozens of nominations, and, since they come from across Canada and from both official language groups, jury members may not necessarily be as familiar with some nominees as with others. Extremely brief or incomplete documentation – even on nominees whom nominators consider to be well known – makes the jury members’ already difficult task even more difficult.