Sherrie Johnson to receive John Hobday Award in Arts Management

Ottawa, May 28, 2008 ’Äì Independent theatre producer Sherrie Johnson will be presented with the John Hobday Award in Arts Management, which celebrates outstanding achievement in the field of arts management, during the Festival TransAmˆ©riques in Montreal.

The Canada Council for the Arts, which administers these awards, announced the creation of the John Hobday Awards in May 2006. The awards were made possible by a $1 million endowment from The Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation. John Hobday was executive director of the Foundation between 1983 and 2002, and director of the Canada Council from 2003 to 2006. Ms. Johnson is one of the first two recipients of the John Hobday Awards. The other recipient is Santee Smith, artistic director of the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, who was presented her award on May 20 in Hamilton.

Sherrie Johnson's award is for professional development. She will enroll in the executive MBA (master of business administration) program at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto to develop her marketing, financial and business skills. Ms. Johnson plans to expand the scope of her work as an independent producer and exporter of Canadian theatre by working with philanthropists, banks, corporations and other patrons to build foundations for the performing arts in Canada.

News release and biographical notes are available on our website: The Canada Council for the Arts - Sherrie Johnson and Santee Smith win first John Hobday Awards in Arts Management.