Media Release
For immediate release
May 7, 2008
Banff Summer Arts Festival artists supported by RBC Youth Excellence Scholarships
For the first time this year, the RBC Youth Excellence Scholarships will support young artists in pursuing training at The Banff Centre in literary arts, playwriting, and theatre performance. Artists in these disciplines will join artists and scholarship recipients in dance, opera, and music, all performing during the 2008 Banff Summer Arts Festival.
The generous support of RBC will bring artists to Banff from across Canada to participate in master classes, intensive training, and performance opportunities throughout the summer. Artists chosen this year include tenor Benjamin Covey, who returns to the Centre’s Opera as Theatre program after his starring role in Frobisher during the 2007 Festival. Ballet dancer Kathleen O’Brien was recommended for the professional dance program by Alberta Ballet Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître and Quebec-based brass quintet Frolic will perform in venues throughout the Bow Valley as part of the new RBC Quintet in the Community program.
Established in 2005 with a $1 million donation over six years to artistic programs and scholarships at The Banff Centre, RBC’s commitment will assist 30 professional artists this year in developing their careers in Banff. Scholarships will go to visual, literary, and performing artists in all areas, including dance, theatre, opera, music, jazz, Aboriginal arts, writing, visual art, and media arts. The scholarship program directly assists with arts training at the Centre, while RBC’s sponsorship of the annual Banff Summer Arts Festival will help to showcase the work of those artists. Every year, the Festival provides invaluable performance and exhibition opportunities for hundreds of artists on stages, in studios, and behind the scenes.
To qualify for an RBC Youth Excellence Scholarship, artists must demonstrate artistic excellence and a commitment to community development and leadership. This summer’s recipients are examples of the best in artistic and community leadership from across Canada, and The Banff Centre’s artistic programs, and Festival audiences, will benefit immeasurably from the skills and talents of these young artists.
About arts training at The Banff Centre
Training for young artists is fundamental to The Banff Centre’s mandate. As one of Canada’s only post-secondary institutions dedicated to the arts, the Centre provides learning opportunities for thousands of early- and mid-career artists every year. Artists participate in master classes, thematic and independent residencies, and production workshops, and present their work to public audiences through year-round performances and exhibitions. The value of The Banff Centre artistic experience is clear. Recent alumni include Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel, Calgary-based visual artist Chris Cran, Royal Winnipeg Ballet principal dancer Tara Birtwhistle, Esther Honens Piano Competition Laureate Katherine Chi, and acclaimed soprano Laura Whalen.
About RBC Financial Group
RBC Financial Group (RBC) supports organizations, initiatives and events that contribute to Canada’s communities through nurturing and celebrating artistic expression. In 2005, RBC supported national and community theatre, dance, choral and orchestral music, and the visual arts, including the annual RBC Canadian Painting Competition. Focus areas include programs that help emerging artists from all disciplines. For more information, please visit www.rbc.com.
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Media Contact
Jill Sawyer
Media and Communications Officer, The Banff Centre
403.762.6475