Banff, AB - Joanne Morrow of Ottawa, Ontario, has been named vice-president, The Banff Centre and director, the Centre for the Arts, effective November 1, 2000.

In announcing the appointment, Mary Hofstetter, acting president and CEO of The Banff Centre and chair of the search committee, says Morrow will be a superb addition to The Banff Centre. She points out that Joanne possesses a unique combination of skills and experience, as well as an international arts network. "Joanne Morrow is well known across the country in the arts and cultural arenas. She brings vision matched with experience and a deep knowledge of the arts in Canada, and we look forward to her expertise and enthusiasm."

Morrow is currently director of the Arts Division of The Canada Council for the Arts, responsible for the operation of all grant programs for Canadian artists and arts organizations. Before joining The Canada Council in 1989 as head of Music and Opera, she was the music producer of the National Arts Centre of Canada. She has also served as chef de production for Les Productions Internationales Albert Sarfati in Paris, France, and as a soprano with the Festival Singers of Canada.

Morrow says The Banff Centre is a distinctive mix of creative development, artistic practice, connection to the mountain environment, and commercial endeavor. "There is truly no other place I think of like The Banff Centre, where there is emphasis on both professional development and creative production. I look forward to the opportunity to link the Centre even more closely with the international world of the arts while showcasing the expertise of the different artistic divisions."

A national search committee led the selection process to choose Joanne Morrow from a field of over 70 applicants and nominees from across Canada and internationally.

Joanne Morrow's Bio (pdf file)
About The Banff Centre (pdf file)

For Interviews with Joanne Morrow or Mary Hofstetter please contact:
DONNA BALKAN
Senior Communications Manager
Canada Council for the Arts
(613) 566-4414 ext. 4134
(613) 795-3669 (cell)
or
SABRINA GROBLER
Media Relations Consultant,The Banff Centre
(403) 762-6152 (Banff office)
(403 ) 571-1821 (Calgary office)
(403) 760-0098 (cell)