Media Advisory - 15th Presentation of the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts at Rideau Hall

OTTAWA, April 2, 2015 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present the 2015 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts, during a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 6 p.m.

Now in their 15^th year, the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts are Canada's foremost awards for excellence in visual arts, architecture, independent film and video, or audio and new media. The prizes are awarded annually to visual and media artists for distinguished career achievement in these disciplines. In addition, the Saidye Bronfman Award is given for excellence in the fine crafts, as well as a prize for outstanding contributions to the visual and/or media arts in a volunteer or professional capacity. Each laureate receives $25,000 and a bronze medallion.

The following laureates will be honoured this year:

• Louise Déry, curator, Montréal (Outstanding Contribution Award)
• Robert Houle, visual artist, Toronto
• Micah Lexier, visual artist, Toronto
• Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, media artist, Montréal
• Paul McClure, jewellery artist, Toronto (Saidye Bronfman Award)
• Sandra Meigs, painter, Victoria
• Rober Racine, visual artist, writer and composer, Montréal
• Reva Stone, new media artist, Winnipeg

The prizes are funded, administered and promoted by the Canada Council for the Arts. For more information on the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts and on this year's laureates, please visit ggavma.canadacouncil.ca .

Media wishing to cover this event are asked to confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office, and must arrive at the Princess Anne Entrance no later than 5:45 p.m.
on the day of the ceremony.

SOURCE Government House

Media information: Julie Rocheleau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-7280, [email protected]; Heather McAfee, Canada Council for the Arts, 613-566-4414, ext. 4166, [email protected] ; For interviews with the laureates, please contact: Geneviève Blouin, Genesis PR, 514-887-8187, [email protected]; Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.