April 15 2016, For Immediate Release:
OCAF CHAIR JOHN D McKELLAR WINS GOVERNOR GENERAL’S AWARD
Congratulations to OCAF Chair John D McKellar, C.M. for being awarded The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award
for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts (RJH). The 2016 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards
(GGPAA) will honour seven new laureates (including John) at its annual gala, which takes place June 11 2016,
at the National Arts Centre. Named for Governor General Hnatyshyn, who created the GGPAA in 1992, the
RJH Award recognizes outstanding contribution by an individual or group in voluntary service to the performing
arts in Canada.
John is known for the many performing artists and arts organizations he has advised, counseled and
supported. In addition to being Chair of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, he is former Chair of the
Toronto Arts Council, Vice Chairman Ontario Arts Foundation, Chairman of the Young Centre for the
Performing Arts, an advisor to the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, and a board member of
Tarragon Theatre, Off-Centre Music Salon and The Glenn Gould Foundation. For his full bio, click here.
OCAF is delighted by the news. “All of us at OCAF are thrilled that John has been recognized for a lifetime of
giving back to the community, especially to the arts,” says Executive Director Kathleen Sharpe. “He is a
tireless advocate through the many boards he is on. OCAF is so fortunate to have a stellar roster of board
members and to be led by John McKellar is the icing on the cake for us. Bravo John!”
This year, the National Film Board of Canada is joining the GGPAA to bring together acclaimed Canadian
filmmakers to celebrate the achievements of Canadian performing arts legends on film. Genie Award-winning
Newfoundland filmmaker Mary Lewis (When Ponds Freeze Over) is directing a tribute to John, which will
premiere at the awards ceremony on June 11. For more information about the NFB/GGPAA partnership, click
here for their press release.
For the official announcement, see the 2016 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards release.
OCAF Media Contact: Thomas Vaughan, Fund Officer
416-969-7449 tvaughan@arts.on.ca
The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF) was established in 1999. It has three aims: (1) to increase cultural tourism
by providing investments to assist Ontario organizations to develop, promote and present one-off or first time events, or a
significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events; (2)
increase the earned revenue capability of the applicant organization; and (3) support events that foster economic growth
and contribute to job creation.
