Arts Recognition

Nominator Victoria McCulloch wanted to make sure the community knows exactly how much Tweed & Company is doing to boost economic growth by creating jobs in the arts community. “There are two full-time staff positions and several part-time admin roles,” says McCulloch on the permanent positions at Tweed & Company. “This season, more than 50 contract performers, technicians and creative team members will be hired from home and across the country, as well as local theatre camp counsellors. Patrons support local businesses, hotels and restaurants.” Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Porter, they’re coming back from the pandemic with their most ambitious season to date: accessible, inclusive and affordable theatre, youth programming, music, comedy and more.

Dan Atkinson joined the Board of Directors of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada in 2014 after retiring from Welch LLP. In 2018, he took on the position of Treasurer. “Dan has exhibited an understanding of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada. He was able to convey in layman’s language the importance of being fiscally responsible in order to ensure that the artistic vision can be realized,” says Nominator Catherine Taylor. “Dan has always been approachable and willing to help in any way. We all enjoy his even temperament and his dry sense of humour.” Atkinson supports the arts in Quinte in other ways as well. He was a member of the Quinte Arts Council Board of Directors from 2007-2020, serving as director, Treasurer, Vice-Chair, Past Chair and volunteer. He is also on the Finance Committee for the Belleville General Hospital Foundation. Atkinson is a strong advocate for non-profits and the arts in Quinte.

The Quinte region has a vibrant and quickly expanding film industry. Victor Cooper and the Eighty Twenty Studio Team have been instrumental in this growth. They have redefined how video and television are made in the Bay of Quinte region. Nominator Dug Stevenson, of the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Team, and winners of the 2021 Arts Recognition Award, says, “They are repeatedly creating high-quality products for their clients in a way that is raising the bar for video quality in our region and across southeastern Ontario. Their series Stoney Lonesome not only tells stories about our home, but they also shot it in our home, cast many local actors, and they’re helping to put our home on the map by successfully pitching it to Bell for their Fibe streaming channel.” The show has recently been greenlit for a second season, and they are producing a Stoney Lonesome Christmas Special. 

Howard Rees was nominated by Prince of Wales Vice Principal Andrea Kerr. “Howard introduced himself to me in my role as Curriculum Coordinator for the Arts at the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. It was crystal clear that we needed Howard. He would have an immense impact on 130 students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 from four schools in the centre of Belleville. Students studied his original choral jazz music, improvisation, and lyric writing directly beside Howard and his team of professionals,” says Kerr. “Over the course of the 4-month project, students expanded their pride in themselves, their creativity, self-esteem, concentration, a sense of belonging, and music skills, as well as an appreciation for the performing arts.” 

Anne Cunningham is a pillar of the arts community in Quinte. A graduate of Laurentian University, she spent 36 years as a teacher and music consultant around Ontario before landing in Belleville. In the 1970s, she joined the Quinte Arts Council board, where she served for over four decades as a Director, Vice-Chair, Chair and Past Chair. “Anne’s significant contributions and impact to the arts demonstrates why these awards were created many years ago,” says nominator Marilyn Lawrie, former Executive Director of the Quinte Arts Council. “She deserves to be recognized for all she has done for the focus upon and nourishment of the arts in our community. This region is so much stronger for having Anne in our creative midst.” Cunningham isn’t just an arts advocate and educator; she is an accomplished artist whose works have been shown throughout Belleville and beyond.