Khyber Centre Awarded $10,000 Art Prize

The Khyber Digital Media Centre is this year's winner of the $10,000 Aliant New Media Prize. The award was announced on Saturday, Feb. 15, during the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax.

"At Aliant we believe that it is important to support and recognize exceptional talent and innovative ideas," said Glen LeBlanc, vice-president of finance at Aliant and award presenter. "This year's Aliant New Media Prize recognizes a gifted group of people and the role they play in pushing back the frontier of convergence. We congratulate each of them for their spirit of exploration and commitment to excellence."

The centre received the award to produce and exhibit a body of work created by a group of new media artists. The artists include Eleanor King, Shawn McLeod, Valerie Salez and Stephan Schulz. Their individual works will highlight innovative ideas and explorations into new media. All of the work will be produced at the Khyber Digital Media Centre and shown in a group exhibit at the Khyber Centre for the Arts.

The project will also involve Lucas Dambergs, technician and co- ordinator at the Khyber Digital Media Centre. Mr. Dambergs will oversee the work, act as producer, and collaborate with the artists on technical aspects of their pieces. He will also encourage the artists to explore the full range of possibilities presented by new media art.

"We are thrilled to accept the Aliant New Media Prize," said Mr. Dambergs. "This funding will allow four young and emerging artists to begin working on challenging new projects. Community support is especially important to this burgeoning area of the visual arts. We appreciate Aliant's recognition of the innovative work being done here at the centre."

The $10,000 award, administered by the Department of Tourism and Culture, recognizes works of art that are interactive and that illustrate creativity, exploration or presentation using computing and communications technologies.

"The Khyber Digital Media Centre is a shining example of the growth and quality of new media art," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "We're proud to work with Aliant in bringing this prize to Nova Scotia's arts community."

As in previous years, a committee was assembled to review all Aliant New Media Prize applicants. This committee included individuals who have strong credentials and experience in new media and arts and are recognized for their commitment to advancing the arts in Nova Scotia.