Leonard Cohen donates Glenn Gould Prize of $50,000 to Canada Council

TORONTO, May 14, 2012 /CNW/ - At a star-studded gala in his honour, Leonard Cohen, the Ninth Laureate of The Glenn Gould Prize, donated his $50,000 award to the Canada Council for the Arts.  The capacity crowd at Toronto's Massey Hall burst into thunderous applause when Mr. Cohen presented the donation to Joseph L. Rotman, Canada Council Chair.

"Thank you so much. I'm deeply grateful for this recognition," said Mr. Cohen.

Upon reflecting back on his early career, he acknowledged one organization that existed to help artists like him. In recognition of this support, he decided to gift his prize to the Canada Council.

The Glenn Gould Prize Gala Concert in Honour of Leonard Cohen was hosted by Colm Feore and included musical performances by Cowboy Junkies, Adam Cohen, Serena Ryder, Anjani Thomas, folk singer Basia Bulat, award-winning country singer/songwriters John Prine, James McMurtry, Jimmie Dale Gilmore; poetry readings by Alan Rickman, Michael Ondaatje, and Gordon Pinsent with Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor and Travis Good, and a moving tribute delivered by former Governor General and long-time friend, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson.

The gala concert was the culmination of a series of free events presented by the Glenn Gould Foundation celebrating the artistry of Leonard Cohen including: an exhibition of his sketches and lithographs, a songwriting workshop for students, a street tribute featuring musical performances of Leonard Cohen songs at various locations throughout downtown Toronto, and a screening of I'm Your Man (2005), I Am A Hotel (1983) and the 1965 National Film Board documentary Ladies and Gentlemen…Mr. Leonard Cohen, as part of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival.

The Glenn Gould Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors for making these events possible: Power Corporation of Canada in association with Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life, Investors Group and Mackenzie Investments, Government of Ontario, The Bay, Sony Music Canada, Aeroplan Beyond Miles, The City of Toronto, SOCAN Foundation, The Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto.

About the Glenn Gould Foundation
The Glenn Gould Foundation honours Glenn Gould's spirit and legacy by celebrating brilliance, promoting creativity and transforming lives through the power of music and the arts with the Foundation's signature activities, including The Glenn Gould Prize. The international award is presented biennially to a living luminary who has made a unique lifetime contribution through the arts.  A tribute to Glenn Gould's artistry and his multifaceted contributions to culture, the prize promotes the vital connection between artistic excellence and the transformation of lives.  For more information on the foundation, prize and laureates visit www.glenngould.ca .

Media Contact:
Karen Lorenowicz, KL Strategic Communications, 416-347-9661, [email protected]