One of the biggest honours in Canadian arts will be handed out in Ottawa this June when the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards are hosted in a gala presentation.
The Awards honour lifetime achievements in contributions to Canada’s artistic and cultural scene. The list of laureates includes puppeteer and playwright Ronnie Burkett, acclaimed comedic actress Andrea Martin, and pioneering hip-hop musician Wes “Maestro” Williams. There will also be presentations for the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism to philanthropist Jenny Belzberg, the National Arts Centre Award to choreographer and performer Melanie Demers, and the GGPAA Mentorship program to two Nunavut musicians, Susan Aglukark and Angela Amarualik.
The awards were created in 1992 in honour of then-Governor General Hnatyshyn and are presented annually. This year’s awards will be presented in a red-carpet gala event. There will be a number of tribute performances towards the honoured artists, followed by an after-party featuring curated food and a live band, The Rock Steadies. There will be a cash bar, and formal dress is recommended.
Awards like this are a way to recognize long-term excellence in the arts, similar to commemorative trophies or banner printing. The event also offers a VIP package with refreshments and access to an exclusive dance party.
The 2024 edition of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards will take place at the national Arts Centre in Ottawa on the evening of June 8.
