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

OTTAWA, March 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will present the 2016 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts during a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at 6 p.m.

The Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts are Canada's foremost awards for excellence in these artistic disciplines. The prizes are awarded annually to visual and media artists for distinguished career achievement in visual arts, architecture, independent film and video, or audio and new media. The awards also include the Saidye Bronfman Award 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:

• Edward Burtynsky, photographer, Toronto and London
• Marnie Fleming, curator, Toronto (Outstanding Contribution Award)
• Philip Hoffman, filmmaker, Toronto
• Jane Kidd, textile artist, Salt Spring Island (Saidye Bronfman Award)
• Wanda Koop, visual artist, Winnipeg
• Suzy Lake, visual artist, Toronto
• Mark Lewis, video artist, London, United Kingdom
• William (Bill) Vazan, visual artist, Montréal

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.

Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

Media information: Julie Rocheleau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-7280, [email protected]; Ashley Tardif-Bennett, Canada Council for the Arts, 613-566-4414, ext. 6030, [email protected]; For interviews with the laureates, please contact Geneviève Blouin, Genesis PR, 514-887-8187, [email protected]