Vancouver, April 16, 2004 -- The Government of Canada helped double the amount of money raised from private donors by Vancouver Opera. This announcement was made by the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament (Victoria), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage. The Government of Canada will provide $483,293 to the foundation established by Vancouver Opera, an amount matching the funds this Vancouver arts organization succeeded in raising and paying into their foundation this year."Vancouver Opera is a remarkable organization that presents productions of the very highest level, while at the same time managing its finances in a very effective way," said Minister Anderson. "The support we are providing will enable this organization to consolidate its revenue and find new sources of funding. I am very proud that the Government of Canada is working in partnership with Vancouver Opera, an organization that this city, and indeed our province, is very proud of. Indeed, the success of Vancouver Opera's fundraising campaign is a powerful symbol of the commitment of its growing number of supporters, and of the private sector." "Arts bodies make an indispensable contribution to the vitality of our communities, and enrich the quality of life of all Canadians," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "I am pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting Vancouver Opera and is providing its foundation with one dollar for every dollar raised during the 2003-2004 fundraising campaign."Canadian Heritage provides this financial support through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. Under this initiative, government funding is added to funds already raised. The initiative encourages private giving to the endowment funds of arts organizations, in order that these organizations may gain access to new and predictable sources of funds. This program was launched as part of the Tomorrow Starts Today arts funding initiative. The budget for this important undertaking, which was renewed in 2004-2005 for a fourth year, is now $207 million.Funding for this project was provided for in the 2004 federal budget.Information: Anna Wong Communications Assistant Office of the Honourable David Anderson (604) 666-4500 Mylène DupéréPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage(819) 997-7788BACKGROUNDER Vancouver OperaVancouver Opera was founded in 1959. Its mission is to share the power of opera with all who are open to receiving it, through superior performances and meaningful education programs for all ages. Each season, Vancouver Opera gives approximately 25 performances of four or five operas at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. While drawing predominantly on the traditional repertoire, the company has attempted a balance between the most popular works (La Traviata in 2004 and La Bohème in 2003) and those less often performed (Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri in 1966 and Janá ek's From the House of the Dead in its North American stage premiere in 1986).
