Peter Herrndorf receives Canada's highest honour for his lifelong dedication to the arts
Outgoing NAC President and CEO Peter Herrndorf is being presented with a special #GGAward
Peter Herrndorf, nicknamed "Captain Canada", is receiving a Special Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award at the Governor General's Performing Art Awards as he steps down from his role as President and CEO of The National Arts Centre.
Since 1999, Herrndorf has been instrumental in fostering the growth and leading the expansion of North America's only bilingual performing arts centre. Herrndorf is also responsible for establishing the NAC Foundation and the NAC's Indigenous Theatre Department.
Watch the video to learn more about his contributions:
Earlier in his career, Herrndorf served as vice president of English services at CBC from 1979 to 1983. In his time at the public broadcaster, he oversaw the development of landmark television programming such as The Fifth Estate, The National and The Journal. He went on to become the publisher of Toronto Life magazine and the CEO of TV Ontario.
With his colleague Brian Robertson, Herrndorf created the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards in 1992 — the very awards where his many contributions are now being recognized.
On June 1, Angela Hewitt, among other laureates, are being honoured with the highest distinction a performing artist can achieve in Canada — a Governor General's Performing Arts Award. Find out more.