Electricity was in the air at the RBC Convention Centre on Thursday as Mayor Scott Gillingham and the Winnipeg Arts Council hosted the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts, a celebration of the community’s achievements and innovations over the previous year.
“The Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts has really become a highlight for me personally,” said Mayor Gillingham in an interview on Morning Light ahead of the festivities. “The arts add so, so much to the heart of Winnipeg... the vibrancy and sense of community and all that we have to celebrate.”
Gillingham’s celebrations included the individuals nominated for the Winnipeg Arts Council Awards, but also the council itself. “Our commitment to them and through them is so important to the health of the arts in all forms, in all sizes, in all disciplines and expressions across the city,” says Gillingham of the 4.6-million-dollar budget the city allocates to the council each year.
Three artists from different disciplines were presented with awards at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts. Dancer Natalie Sluis, a graduate of the Professional Program of the School of Contemporary Dancers back in 2023, was acknowledged with the RBC On the Rise Award, a recognition of an artist who demonstrates promise in their craft. Multi-disciplinary musician and composer Ashley Au, the artistic director of the Cluster Music & Integrated Arts Festival (on until June 10), received the Making a Mark Award for the critical recognition that she has received as a performer and an administrator. The Making a Difference Award was presented to curator Jaimie Isaac, whose work in decolonization and inclusion in the visual arts has contributed immensely to the development of the arts and how we see them more broadly in Winnipeg.
“Congratulations to all the nominees and winners this year, who once again demonstrate the incredible range of talent in our city,” Winnipeg Arts Council executive director Dominic Lloyd said in a statement. “It was another exceptional year for the arts in Winnipeg, and we are honoured to be a part of it.”
