Dance Ontario Award
The Dance Ontario Award is given in recognition of the
unique contribution of individuals to the development of dance in the province.
Mimi Beck
2007 Recipient
Mimi Beck is the Curator of DanceWorks, Toronto's longest running dance series, where she has presented diverse and innovative programming for over twenty-five years. Her contribution to the discipline of dance is considerable and in raising the profile of dance artists, it is nothing short of formidable. She has presented the choreography of over 270 dance artists on the DanceWorks Mainstage Series and introduced many emerging choreographers through CoWorks Series events.
Dance critics have acknowledged her contribution to Toronto's scene commenting -
"As a curator Mimi has always allowed instinct as much as intellect to guide her". Michael Crabb
"... the singular ability of curator Mimi Beck to suss out the creative mavericks within our midst and give them a platform on which to strut their stuff... I applaud her efforts and am grateful for having benefited from her generosity in wanting to share the dynamic spirit she continues to nurture in dance". Deirdre Kelly
"...it would be hard to imagine the Toronto dance scene without her. She is what the French call an animatrice, someone who makes things happen. What she primarily makes happen is DanceWorks, Toronto's longest-running dance series and the one that has done most over the years to promote the risk-taking work of independent choreographers…For her, it is enough to discover the work and give it a showcase." William Littler
"DanceWorks is second only to Harbourfront as one of the most significant presenters of dance in Toronto. The list of choreographers who have had works performed in DanceWorks covers Canada from sea to shining sea, with a good dollop of excellent dancesmiths from abroad. The series has helped educate people to the wonderful mysteries of dance, and if we Torontonians are a more discerning audience, it is, in large measure, due to DanceWorks" Paula Citron.
Dance artists have recognized her support -
"Mimi Beck … a virtuoso at navigating the business and bureaucracy that support our field to the advantage of the staggering number of artists she has presented at DanceWorks... she has been instrumental in bringing scores of dancers and choreographers to prominence in this city". Peggy Baker
"Curator, Mimi Beck, a visionary for Dance in Toronto and Canada, took the risk other presenters would not in giving COBA the opportunity to present its work publicly." Charmaine Headley/Bakari E. Lindsay COBA
She is Executive Director of The Canadian Network of Dance Presenters, CanDance, a national arts service organization that supports the work of Canada's dance presenters within the dance community and its marketplace. Ms Beck works as a consultant to other arts organizations and has served as a juror and assessor for arts councils and foundations. Executive Director of Dance Ontario Association from 1991 - 2000, she has served on numerous boards, panels and committees and was a founder of Dancers For Life, a fundraiser for AIDS charities. Named "One of 19 who made a difference in the arts" by The Toronto Star in 1994, Ms Beck has initiated several projects to encourage dance literacy among adults and youth. She has hosted arts outreach activities and taught for the YMCA, Young People's Theatre, Boards of Education and Community Centres.
Active in Toronto's early independent dance movement as a choreographer and performer, Ms Beck received the first Canada Council Grant awarded to a Dance Curator in 1986. From 1990-1994, she was the Canadian Director of the U.S./Canada Performance Initiative, a bi-lateral touring exchange with Dance Theatre Workshop in New York and the National Performance Network. In 2006, Ms Beck received a Harold Award, honouring her contribution to the vibrant arts life of Toronto.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Charlotte Holmes
Grant Strate
Lawrence & Miriam Adams
Brian Robinson
Trish Beatty
David Earle
Peter Randazzo
Lois Smith
Herbert Whittaker
Janet Baldwin
Boris Volkoff
Nesta Williams Toumine
Judy Jarvis
Joysanne Sidimus
Dr. R.N. Laidlaw
Rina Singha
Peter Boneham (1992)
Gladys Forrester (1993)
Vera Davis (1993)
Carol Anderson (1994)
Rose Hill (1997)
Danny Grossman (1998)
Patricia Miner (2004)
Mimi Beck (2007)
A Special Award is also occasionally given to a member of the community who has been an exceptional supporter of the discipline. In 2005 the award was given to John Newton and in 2006 to Ted Fox, Producer of CIUT's Evi-Dance.
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Photo: Mimi Beck by David Hou
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