These "Fleck Fellows" – a talented group of composers, writers, dancers, visual artists and musicians from Canada and abroad - will attend residencies at The Banff Centre that will allow them to further their artistic practices and their careers.

"These are incredibly accomplished artists, chosen from an already-high-calibre pool of candidates," says Joanne Morrow, senior vice-president of Programming at The Banff Centre. "This year’s recipients illustrate an incredible diversity in artistic genres, pursuits and accomplishments. We’re thrilled to provide such a fine group of artists a chance for creative exploration in this collaborative and artistically fertile environment."

The Paul D. Fleck Fellowship Trust was established in memory of Paul D. Fleck, former president of The Banff Centre. Mr. Fleck was a cultural statesman and a man of vision and influence. The Paul D. Fleck Fellowship Trust provides annual fellowships for up to 15 Canadian and international artists in the fields of Aboriginal Arts, Media & Visual Arts, Music & Sound, Theatre Arts, and Writing & Publishing.

"The fellowships will provide them with an opportunity to develop new work, spend time on an existing project, or collaborate with faculty and other artists-in-residence. We look forward to seeing their new projects take shape as they embark on their creative journeys here."

Fleck Fellows are nominated and then selected on the basis of acknowledged achievement or recognition of high potential for artistic excellence. The first Paul D. Fleck Fellowships in the Arts were awarded in 2001. The recipients of this year’s Paul D. Fleck Fellowship in the Arts are:

• Sherryl Sewepagaham, Sarah Pocklinton, Debbie Houle, Alberta
• Chris Cran, Calgary
• Mike Stubbs, Gina Czarnecki, Scotland
• Faye HeavyShield, Lethbridge
• Jeanne Randolph, Toronto
• Rodney Sharman, Vancouver
• Tomson Highway, Kamloops
• Serge Bennathan, Toronto
• David Ross, Kamloops
• Brian Webb, Edmonton
• Armand Garnet Ruffo, Ottawa
• Gloria Sawai, Edmonton