ACCESS COPYRIGHT FOUNDATION AWARDS $100,000 IN EVENTS GRANTS
The Access Copyright Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011 Access Copyright Foundation Events Grants. Seventeen organizations have been awarded grants by the Foundation on the basis of peer adjudication. These grants support eligible events taking place between September 2011 and September 2012. A full list of recipients is available at http://www.artsboard.sk.ca/grants/results.
The Access Copyright Foundation Events Grants Program promotes the development and public appreciation of Canadian publishing, and literary and visual arts. Events grants provide funding to organizations and artists groups in order to showcase publishable works to the public or to host professional development events for writers, visual artists, publishers and related arts professionals. Events must celebrate and present Canadian content in a public context, or provide opportunities for learning, career advancement or creative discourse in publishing, writing or visual arts.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support these vital Canadian arts events,” says Michael O’Reilly, Chairperson of the Access Copyright Foundation. “We know how hard it is for Canadian creators, publishers, and arts organizations to survive and thrive these days. Through the Foundation’s various granting programs, we aim to make life a little easier for those working to tell the Canadian story.”
The Access Copyright Foundation Grants Program and juries are administered by the Saskatchewan Arts Board. The 2011 events grants recipients were selected by a jury composed of author David Bergen and publishing veteran Susan Renouf. The Arts Board is now accepting applications for the 2012 Research Grants Program and the deadline is February 13, 2012. Application forms are available at http://www.artsboard.sk.ca/grants/grant-programs/2131-access-copyright-foundation-grants.
The Access Copyright Foundation was created to promote and support Canadian culture by providing grants to encourage the development and dissemination of publishable Canadian works. The Foundation provides grants to publishers, individual creators and publishing, writing and visual arts organizations through Research Grants, Professional Development Grants, and Events Grants.
To learn more about the Access Copyright Foundation Grants Program and the Saskatchewan Arts Board, please visit: www.artsboard.sk.ca/grants/grant-programs/2131-access-copyright-foundation-grants.
APPOINTMENT OF A NEW PARLIAMENTARY POET LAUREATE
The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Andrew Scheer, today announced the appointment of Fred Wah as Canada’s next Parliamentary Poet Laureate, effective immediately. Mr. Wah is the fifth poet to hold this office.
“As a distinguished poet, editor, and teacher Fred Wah is known across Canada for his interest in a range of subjects,” said Speaker Kinsella. “Mr. Wah brings forth a collaborative approach and unique perspective to his work inspiring younger poets, students and others both nationally and internationally with his reflections on Canadian culture.”
“Fred Wah’s poetry is grounded in Canada’s political and social landscapes,” said Speaker Scheer. “He has done much to encourage and promote the importance of literature, culture and language within Canadian society.”
Mr. Wah was selected by the Speakers upon the recommendation of the Selection Committee composed of Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages; Daniel J. Caron, Deputy Head and Librarian and Archivist of Canada; Robert Sirman, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts, and Sonia L’Heureux, Assistant Parliamentary Librarian.
Reflecting on his nomination, Fred Wah intends to share his enthusiasm for new poets and artists, and will bring to the position the passion and dedication he brings to all his work. “My work as Parliamentary Poet Laureate will continue to engage poetry as it represents our homes and migrations, our questions of history and identity. I’m grateful for the opportunity to sustain poetry’s presence in our national imaginary.”
Mr. Wah has been writing and publishing since 1965. Author of five limited-edition chapbooks and 18 books, his repertoire includes the 1986 Governor General Award-wining poetry book Waiting for Saskatchewan. Fred Wah has consistently challenged and thrilled readers and has had a major influence on multiple generations of writers
POETRY’S POWER TO CONNECT YOUNG TO OLD
By Katie Hyslop. What happens when a First Nations kid asks an elder 10 questions and writes a poem? A lot. Poetry has great power. It communicates complex emotions, grandiose ideas, and a tumultuous world in a concise package. It brings people together, it tears them apart. It’s cathartic, it’s educational, it’s healing. For full article: http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/12/09/Elder-Project/
TORONTO’S OLDEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE IS CLOSING
The Book Mark, Toronto’s oldest independent bookstore is closing on January 21st. The owner cites property taxes and rent increase as the reasons. For full Globe and Mail article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/oldest-independent-bookstore-cites-rent-increase-taxes-in-decision-to-close/article2290297/
THE JESSAMY STURSBERG POETRY CONTEST FOR YOUTH
There are two age categories, junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12). First place poems in each category will receive a cash prize of $350, second place winners will receive $300 and third place winners will receive $250. All winning poems will be published in the League of Canadian Poets’ e-zine, Re:verse at www.youngpoets.ca. All winners will receive Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Youth certificates and student memberships in the League of Canadian Poets for one year. For guidelines: http://poets.ca/wordpress/contests-awards