EDMONTON, September 2, 2011 - Thanks to investments from the Government of Canada, cultural organizations are thriving in Alberta. Support for 93 projects was announced today by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. Minister Ambrose was joined by the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre).
"Investing in arts and heritage is central to the economic health of communities across Canada," said Minister Ambrose. "Thanks to this investment, artists and arts organizations across Alberta can continue to offer great performances and cultural experiences."
"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in organizations that help strenthen our economy and promote our culture," said Minister Moore.
Funding will support a wide range of projects which will help to strenghten the economy, increase tourism, and bring people together in communities across Alberta. Among the organizations receiving support are the Calgary Centre for Performing Arts, the Fort McMurray Historical Society, Strathcona County, Inglewood Community Association, the Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation, and the Edmonton Folk Festival.
"By supporting these organizations, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support our arts, culture, heritage, and official languages" said Mr. Hawn.
"The funding that Fringe Theatre Adventures receives from the Government of Canada is responsible for the ongoing success and growth of our organization," said Julian Mayne, Executive Director, Fringe Theatre Adventures. "Because of this continued support through Canadian Heritage, Fringe Theatre Adventures is in turn able to support hundreds of artists annually in the creation of new Canadian theatre, through their work in the Fringe Festival and in our presentations of theatre year round. We are so very grateful for this financial endorsement of our activities and mandate."
The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $6,270,201 under five programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official Languages Communities Program, and the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.
