2023 Recipients

Michel Marc Bouchard

Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award

Michel Marc Bouchard’s bold poetic vision is universal and timeless in its exploration of human relationships, particularly the notion of the outsider and the queer universe. His plays have been translated into two dozen languages and performed around the world; several have been adapted for film.

Molly Johnson

Prix de la réalisation artistique

Reconnue comme l’une des meilleures chanteuses de jazz de notre époque, Molly Johnson a séduit les auditoires tant au Canada qu’en Europe avec ses pièces originales et ses interprétations de standards du jazz.

James Kudelka

Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award

James Kudelka is among North America’s most versatile and innovative dance artists. His creative output reflects his eclectic interests, rich movement vocabulary, and theatrical sensitivity.

Rosemarie Landry

Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award

Recognized worldwide as an exceptional interpreter of French vocal works and a leading authority on French-language music, soprano Rosemarie Landry has made a significant contribution to classical music and Canadian culture.

k.d. lang

Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award

Singer–songwriter k.d. lang is known for her wide-ranging musical talent, distinctive and androgynous style, and hauntingly pure mezzo-soprano voice.

John Kim Bell

Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts

John Kim Bell is one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous leaders. Widely recognized for his work as an activist, entrepreneur and fundraiser, he established the Indspire charitable organization and the Indspire Awards in celebration of Indigenous achievement.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee

National Arts Centre Award

A versatile actor, writer, comedian and television host, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is best known for his starring role as family patriarch Mr. Kim (“Appa”) in Korean–Canadian playwright Ins Choi’s hit play Kim’s Convenience (2011) and its hugely popular television adaptation (2016–21).

RECIPIENT DIRECTORY

Canadian artists and volunteers have received Governor General's Performing Arts Awards since 1992. Canadians are recognized from a variety of disciplines for lifetime achievements; having had an extraordinary performance year or for voluntarism in the performing arts. Get to know more about the outstanding laureates of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

Disclaimer: All biographical details correct at the time of the honour.

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By Name:
By Year:	By Discipline:	By Award:
NFB Film	Rideau Hall Speeches	Legacy Interview

Lecavalier, Louise (2014) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Dance	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Sutto, Janine (1921-2017) (2014) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Theatre	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Giguère, Jean (2014) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »		RJH Award
Schultz, Albert (2014) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »		NAC Award
Dawes, Andrew (1940-2022) (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Classical Music	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Lanois, Daniel (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »	Popular Music	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Lefebvre, Jean Pierre (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »	Film	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Léger, Viola (1930-2023) (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »	Theatre	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Peterson, Eric (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Theatre	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Thakkar, Menaka (1942-2022) (2013) Biography » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Dance	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Desrosiers, Jean Pierre (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »		RJH Award
Polley, Sarah (2013) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »		NAC Award
Fialkowska, Janina (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »	Classical Music	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Fortier, Paul-André (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Dance	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Marleau, Denis (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »	Theatre	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Mehta, Deepa (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Film	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Rush (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »	Popular Music	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Walsh, Mary (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech » Legacy Interview »	Broadcasting	Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Collins, Earlaine (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »		RJH Award
McAnuff, Des (2012) Biography » NFB Film » Speech »		NAC Award

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The Awards

Lifetime Artistic Achievement

Recognizes artists for their outstanding body of work and enduring contribution to the performing arts in Canada. These national awards are presented in the categories of Stages, dance, classical music, popular music and Screens and Voices. Nominations for this category are open to the public.

Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for
Voluntarism in the Performing Arts

The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing arts recognizes outstanding contribution by an individual or group in voluntary service to the performing arts in Canada made without direct or indirect financial or other compensation. The award is also nominated by the general public.

National Arts Centre Award

Recognizes work of an extraordinary nature and significance in the performing arts by an individual artist and/or company in the past performance year. Recipients are selected by the National Arts Centre.

2023 Recipients

Michel Marc Bouchard

Molly Johnson

James Kudelka

Rosemarie Landry

k.d. lang

John Kim Bell

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee

RECIPIENT DIRECTORY

The Awards

Lifetime Artistic Achievement

Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for
Voluntarism in the Performing Arts

National Arts Centre Award

RECIPIENTS SPEAK

NFB SHORT FILMS

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