TNO takes home Premier's Award

Sudbury's Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario (TNO) recently beat out five other finalists to win a 2014 Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Created in 2006 by the province, the awards recognize the outstanding achievements of artists and arts organizations, and their contributions to arts and culture in Ontario over a significant period of time.

In accepting the award, TNO executive director Geneviève Pineault said she thanked everyone who has been involved in the theatre company over its 43-year history.

“It's a nice recognition,” she said. “The arts are important in Sudbury. There's a lot of arts organizations in Sudbury, and it's nice to shine a light on that.”

TNO won the award in the arts organization category. It's the third time the theatre company has been shortlisted for the award.

Lee Maracle, an instructor at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre in Toronto, won in the individual artist category, while author Cheri Dimaline won in the emerging artist category.

“Art is the lifeblood of our communities, helping to shape our identities as people, and as a community,” said Premier Kathleen Wynne, in a press release.

“It is my great privilege to celebrate these truly remarkable artists whose work enriches the lives of all Ontarians.”

With TNO's award comes a $50,000 prize. While Pineault said the theatre troupe hasn't yet figured out to do with the money, she said it will be used for an artistic venture.

“Fifty thousand dollars is a lot, but at the same time, it can be spent quickly,” she said. “You want to be able to in 10 years look back and say 'You know what, this is what we did with the money, this is what the impact it had.'”