February 13, 2001
Banff, Alberta
For Immediate Release

Joanne Morrow, vice-president, The Banff Centre and director, Centre for the Arts announced that two of Canada’s finest theatrical designers have been named the recipients of the 2000 Banff Centre National Award. "François Barbeau and Susan Benson are at the top of their field and each has gained international acclaim for their talent, imagination, and ability to inspire and mentor young designers starting out in theatre," comments Morrow.

A leading figure in the world of costume design in Canada, François Barbeau is well known for a broad range of work in theatre, dance and film. His career spans 45 years during which he has worked in numerous theatres in Montreal, Toronto, Stratford, and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. His designs have also been seen in France, Israel, and the U.S.A. including the costumes for Cirque du Soleil’s touring production Dralion. Mr. Barbeau adds The Banff Centre National Award to a number of others he has received including an Emmy Award, a Governor General’s Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Quebec Theatre Industry, and the Order of Canada. Mr. Barbeau is well known as a teacher of design, having taught at the National Theatre School for 25 years.

Susan Benson has created set and costume designs in Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S.A. She was resident designer at the Stratford Festival for 25 years and has also amassed a long list of distinguished design credits in the world of opera. Recent opera designs include costumes for The Ballad of Baby Doe for San Francisco Opera and the world premiere production of The Golden Ass for the Canadian Opera Company for which she won her 8^th Dora Mavor Moore Award. Ms. Benson’s Marriage of Figaro originally designed for The Banff Centre, has been rented by many companies in Canada and the U.S.A.

Each of the recipients receives the Donald Cameron Bronze Medal, a $7,500 cash award, and a residency at The Banff Centre.

THE BANFF CENTRE is Canada’s only learning centre dedicated to the arts, leadership development, and mountain culture. We design programs to enrich professional practice beyond the realm of traditional education. Our unique mountain setting and multidisciplinary environment foster a commitment to personal growth and lifelong learning.

THE NATIONAL AWARD

Presented in recognition of Canadians who have made significant contributions to the development of the arts in Canada.

• Alternates among the literary, media/visual, music, Aboriginal, and performing arts
• Cash award, residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts plus the Donald Cameron Medal

2000 – François Barbeau (performing arts)
2000 – Susan Benson (performing arts)
1999 – Rhombus Media Inc. (media/visual arts)
1998 – Timothy Findley (literary arts)
1997 – Nexus (music)

After a pause in the award cycle between 1993 and 1997, the award was reconsidered and the decision made to increase cash value from $5,000 to $10,000 and to assess nominees' personal artistic achievement in combination with demonstrated commitment to the development of the next generation of artists.

1993 – General Idea (visual)
1992 – Michel Tremblay (literary)
1991 – Denys Arcand (performing)
1990 – Douglas Cardinal (visual)
1989 – P.K. Page (literary)
1988 – Brian Macdonald (performing)
1987 – Paterson Ewen (visual)
1986 – Robertson Davies (literary)
1985 – R. Murray Schafer (performing)
1984 – Betty Godwin (visual)
1983 – Margaret Laurence (literary)
1982 – Walter Kaasa (performing)
1981 – Charles Gagnon (visual)
1980 – W.O. Mitchell (literary)

In 1980, the award became the Banff School of Fine Arts National Award and the Donald Cameron Medal (designed by sculptor Doris de Pedery-Hunt) was included.