NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE

Marcello Cabezas, the young professional to watch on Toronto’s arts and culture
scene and Winner of the Arnold Edinborough Award, to be presented at this year’s
31st Annual Business for the Arts Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Toronto, ON – June 3, 2008 – Business for the Arts is delighted
to announce that Marcello Cabezas has been selected as the winner of the Arnold Edinborough
Award.

Marcello Cabezas has been described by some of his colleagues and supporters as a cultural
Impresario, a culture magic maker, and a cultural maverick. As the Co-Founder and Culture
Producer at macIDeas, he is unafraid of pushing boundaries and thinking way outside of the box.
Perhaps it is his ability to churn out a hundred ideas an hour that makes him such a magnet in the
cultural community.

Marcello’s visionary approach is what inspired the creation of the Presenting Our Vision Film
Program (POV), a partnership with the Youth Film and Media Training Network, RBC and other
partners to bring a filmmaking program to at-risk youth. Marcello worked tirelessly to get this
fledgling idea off the ground and make it a success. He used his talents as a ‘connector’ to secure
relationships with a number of media outlets, sponsors, and celebrities including Woody Harrelson,
Gil Bellows, the Philosopher Kings, members of the casts of Degrassi and Corner Gas, proving that
Marcello is more than an ‘ideas guy’.

Marcello’s nomination for the Arnold Edinborough Award was submitted by the Youth Film and
Media Training Network but support for his nomination has come from far and wide. The scope of
his involvement across Toronto’s arts and culture scene is impressive. As a young professional,
Marcello has held advisory board and executive committee positions for a staggering number of
organizations including Artbound (‘Free the Children’ project), Canadian Opera Company, CFC
World Wide Short Film Festival, Stratford YP, Luminato YP, Innovators Ball, and the list goes on.
Marcello Cabezas should be seen as a role model for other young professionals in Canada. Already,
he has made a significant mark on Toronto as there are few people in the arts and culture
community who do not know him. As far as he is concerned, his work has only just begun and the
sky is the limit. Business for the Arts is pleased to honour Marcello Cabezas with the Arnold
Edinborough Award for 2009.

The “Arnold Edinborough Award was launched last year in honour of Business for the Arts’
founding President to recognize the young business leaders in Canada who dedicate a tremendous
amount of time and energy volunteering for the Arts while busy building a career. The award is a
fitting tribute to Arnold Edinborough, since he was instrumental in founding the Business for the
Arts Awards as well as the Young in Art program, helping young business people find rewarding
positions in the Arts as Board Members.” said James D. Fleck, Chairman of the Board.

Marcello Cabezas will receive an original Canadian artwork created by an emerging artist, along
with a cheque for $5,000 for the arts organization of her choice. Marcello will be recognized at the
Business for the Arts Awards Gala and the Arnold After-party at the Art Gallery of Ontario on
October 29th, hosted by Bfta artsScene, Business for the Arts’ young business professionals group.
Members of the Arnold Edinborough Award jury for 2009: Gillian Hewitt (Co-chair, BftA
artsScene Toronto), Takashi Yamashita (Co-chair, artsScene Toronto), Jennifer Kirner, Community
Investment Manager, TELUS, Julie Arsenault (Chair, BftA artsScene Montreal), Ken Bautista (Cochair,
BftA artsScene Calgary), Victoria Mainprize (Chair, BftA artsScene Halifax), and Claudia
Moore (2008 Arnold Edinborough winner).

For more details on the Awards, please visit www.businessforthearts.org

For more information:

Eva Szymanski
Membership and Communications Manager, Business for the Arts
416-869-3016 x223
E_Szymanski@businessforthearts.org