Minister James Moore Announces Federal Support for Official Languages, Arts and Culture in Edmonton

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 21, 2011) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, accompanied by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Status of Women, today announced funding for 21 arts, culture, and official languages projects in Edmonton.

The funding will support a wide range of projects, including the Ice on Whyte Festival, the Formation des jeunes en arts visuels à travers l'Alberta, and the Edmonton International Jazz Festival.

"Arts and culture bring communities together, but they also represent an important part of our economy," said Minister Moore. "Our Government believes that investing in arts and culture is central to the economic health and well-being of communities across this country, including Edmonton and communities all across the province of Alberta."

"Edmonton's dynamic cultural scene is a major contributor to this city's excellent quality of life," said Minister Ambrose. "Our Government is proud to invest in these projects, which allow residents and visitors to have new and exciting artistic and cultural experiences."

"The Endowment Incentives funding provided by the Government of Canada was the catalyst behind the formation of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival's Endowment Fund," said Terry Wickham, Producer of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. "These types of investments are important to the future growth and stability of Canada's leading arts organizations."

The Government of Canada has provided funding totalling $1,021,869 under four programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program and the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)

BACKGROUNDER

The following are the projects that are part of this announcement for the cultural sector in the Edmonton area:

Canada Arts Presentation Fund funding for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14:

The Canada Arts Presentation Fund gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

• The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society; project: The Edmonton International Jazz Festival; three-year funding for a total of $132,000 (2011-2012 ($42,000) and 2012-13 ($45,000) and 2013-14 ($45,000))
• The Nextfest Arts Company; project: Nextfest; two-year funding for a total of $47,000 (2011-12 ($23,500) and 2012-13 ($23,500))
• The Works International Visual Arts Society; project: The Works Art and Design Festival; one-year funding for 2011-12: $109,000

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage funding for 2010-11:

The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.

• Old Strathcona Business Association; project: Ice on Whyte Festival; Jan. 13-23; $33,800
• The Rapid Fire Theatre Society; project: Wildfire Improv Festival; Feb. 9-19; $4,900

Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program; funding for 2010-11:

The Development of Official-Language Communities Program is designed to foster the vitality of Canada's French- and English-speaking minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

• Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta - Régionale d'Edmonton, projet: Edmonton chante 2010; $20,000
• Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta - Secrétariat provincial, projet: Gestion des processus de l'Accord de collaboration; $110,000
• Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta - Secrétariat provincial, projet: La francophonie albertaine élargie: 8 points de services communautaires; $50,750
• Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta - Secrétariat provincial, projet: Mise en oeuvre d'une campagne pour agrandir l'espace de la francophonie albertaine; $25,000
• Association franco-albertaine de l'UniThéâtre, projet: Théâtre action communautaire; $15,000
• Francophonie jeunesse de l'Alberta, projet: Après Edmonton, Sudbury: Préparation de l'équipe Alberta 2011; $19,500
• Société francophone des arts visuels de l'Alberta, projet: Formation des jeunes en arts visuels à travers l'Alberta; $25,000

Edmonton organizations receiving Endowment Incentives funding in 2009–2010:

Edmonton Community Foundation

Alberta Ballet Company	$35,508
Brian Webb Dance Company	$7,102
The Citadel Theatre	$46,161
Edmonton Folk Music Festival	$142,033
Edmonton Opera Association	$104,075
Edmonton Symphony Society	$50 777
Fringe Theatre Adventures Society (1995)	$17,754
National Theatre School of Canada	$17,754
Richard Eaton Singers	$8,755