First-ever Arts Congress an International Success

(Banff, Canada, November 10, 2003)
The first-ever World Congress of Arts Producers & Performance was dubbed an inspirational success this past week by the over 150 delegates who attended and took part in the event at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Celebrating the important role television plays in the presentation and creation of arts and performance programming, the Congress ended on a high note with a look at the current and future state of the genre.

"This was a three day forum of creative exchange, debate and discussion by arts professionals from around the globe," said Kerry Stauffer, executive producer of ARTS & Performance 2003. "Never before has there been an opportunity for the arts community to meet and share their insights, visions and ideas. It has certainly been a groundbreaking event paving the way for future Congresses."

Patron of ARTS & Performance 2003 was Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada who gave brief remarks during Saturday's Closing Lunch. The Congress also featured impressive keynote speeches by two prominent Canadian figures, Charles Pachter and William Littler. Noted for his work as a painter, printmaker, sculptor, designer, historian and lecturer, Mr. Pachter spoke to delegates on the theme of iconography and popular culture. Mr. Littler, who is the music and dance critic for the Toronto Star, presented "The Arts in the Age of Television."

Evening events included receptions at the National Arts Centre and a dinner at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Delegates also had the opportunity to purchase advance tickets to attend the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards on Saturday, November 8 and the comedy performance of Sandra Shamas on November 7.

Major funders of this year's Congress were the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Host broadcasters were the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio-Canada in association with ARTV. Next year's event takes place in Vienna, Austria, November 10 to 13, 2004. Details and exciting news on the 2004 Congress will be available soon at banffmedia.com/arts.


For More Information:

Heidi Bobiak
Communications Manager
Banff Television Foundation

Sarah Pearson
Communications Assistant
Banff Television Foundation

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