When I was told that Janice Price CEO of the Luminato Festival had confirmed her interview with The Creative Exchange, I started reading past interviews that she had given to various publications. In most of them she is portrayed as a vivacious, dynamic leader –one even called her a “czarina”,
What does one do in the midst of a czarina? I wondered -would I need to curtsey? Would her imperial ermine-trimmed robes be caught in that ancient elevator hoisting her to our studio?
Having met Janice Price on several occasions over the years, I know her to be one of the most engaging people I have ever met. She is a striking combination of passion, charm and incredible drive. Always radiant and impeccably dressed. Her laughter always fills any room she’s in. Aloof Russian empress she is not, but a hardworking, fun and talented woman.
After a decade at the helm of some of the world’s leading performing arts institutions (Lincoln Centre in New York City and the Kimmel Centre in Philadelphia), she came back to her native Toronto last year to launch a ten day international multi-arts extravaganza: Luminato, billed as a festival of “arts and creativity”.
Our interview centered on her extraordinary career and the impact of the Luminato Festival on the cultural landscape of Toronto.
Janice Price has enough charisma to lead an army. She spoke of the daunting feat of launching a $12 Million start-up in nine months. The extraordinary success of the first year of the festival and the lessons learnt from that experience.
When we spoke of the late great Beverly Sills, her colleague and mentor at Lincoln Centre, I noticed a slight change in the timbre of her voice, she was more affectionate and somewhat nostalgic. She recalled scenes in Ms Sills’ kitchen where they would be working on speeches together and attending to Lincoln Centre business. She credits Ms Sills for teaching her a great deal about fundraising.
The conversation turned to the topic of women as leaders: is their leadership style different from that of men? Janice Price seems to think so, but she tempered her answer with a reference to her education. She studied political science at Trinity College, University of Toronto and that has contributed to preparing her for the politics of running large arts organizations and connecting with the communities that these organizations serve. In addition, she felt that women tend to take mentoring a bit more seriously and keep in contact with the people they mentor. This worked out great for her when she moved backed to Toronto, she had an empty office and one person on staff, she went through her rolodex and got hold of the people she had mentored over the years and got them to come work for her in this new start-up. They trusted her.
We spoke of artists she admires, one of them is the twenty-something Chinese piano wunderkind Lang Lang.
Janice Price will announce the launch of Luminato 2008’s programme at a special briefing on December 5th – one of the highlights of the festival will be the Toronto debut of Alberta Ballet’s The Fiddle and The Drum, a contemporary work inspired by the music of Joni Mitchell and choreographed by Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître. Luminato 2008 is June 6-15. Mark your calendar!
WEBSITE: http://www.luminato.com/
Great website, with a fast-paced opening video promo showcasing last year’s festival. Top notch stuff.
What does one do in the midst of a czarina? I wondered -would I need to curtsey? Would her imperial ermine-trimmed robes be caught in that ancient elevator hoisting her to our studio?
Having met Janice Price on several occasions over the years, I know her to be one of the most engaging people I have ever met. She is a striking combination of passion, charm and incredible drive. Always radiant and impeccably dressed. Her laughter always fills any room she’s in. Aloof Russian empress she is not, but a hardworking, fun and talented woman.
After a decade at the helm of some of the world’s leading performing arts institutions (Lincoln Centre in New York City and the Kimmel Centre in Philadelphia), she came back to her native Toronto last year to launch a ten day international multi-arts extravaganza: Luminato, billed as a festival of “arts and creativity”.
Our interview centered on her extraordinary career and the impact of the Luminato Festival on the cultural landscape of Toronto.
Janice Price has enough charisma to lead an army. She spoke of the daunting feat of launching a $12 Million start-up in nine months. The extraordinary success of the first year of the festival and the lessons learnt from that experience.
When we spoke of the late great Beverly Sills, her colleague and mentor at Lincoln Centre, I noticed a slight change in the timbre of her voice, she was more affectionate and somewhat nostalgic. She recalled scenes in Ms Sills’ kitchen where they would be working on speeches together and attending to Lincoln Centre business. She credits Ms Sills for teaching her a great deal about fundraising.
The conversation turned to the topic of women as leaders: is their leadership style different from that of men? Janice Price seems to think so, but she tempered her answer with a reference to her education. She studied political science at Trinity College, University of Toronto and that has contributed to preparing her for the politics of running large arts organizations and connecting with the communities that these organizations serve. In addition, she felt that women tend to take mentoring a bit more seriously and keep in contact with the people they mentor. This worked out great for her when she moved backed to Toronto, she had an empty office and one person on staff, she went through her rolodex and got hold of the people she had mentored over the years and got them to come work for her in this new start-up. They trusted her.
We spoke of artists she admires, one of them is the twenty-something Chinese piano wunderkind Lang Lang.
Janice Price will announce the launch of Luminato 2008’s programme at a special briefing on December 5th – one of the highlights of the festival will be the Toronto debut of Alberta Ballet’s The Fiddle and The Drum, a contemporary work inspired by the music of Joni Mitchell and choreographed by Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître. Luminato 2008 is June 6-15. Mark your calendar!
WEBSITE: http://www.luminato.com/
Great website, with a fast-paced opening video promo showcasing last year’s festival. Top notch stuff.
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