VICTORIA, April 8, 2004 -- The Government of Canada will double the income of the Victoria Symphony Society's 2003-2004 fundraising campaign with the private sector. The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament (Victoria), announced this today, on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage.The Government of Canada will contribute almost $150,000 to the Victoria Symphony Society, an amount equivalent to what the Society has collected this year. "We are all delighted with the Victoria Symphony's success," said Minister Anderson. "The orchestra must have sustainable income so it can fulfil its artistic mission. This funding will allow the orchestra to consolidate and diversify its income. I am pleased that the Government of Canada is partnering with the Victoria Symphony Society to help it diversify its sources of income.""Artistic organizations contribute to the vitality of our communities and to Canadians' quality of life," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "I am proud that the Government of Canada supports the Victoria Symphony and that we are matching the amount collected through its 2003-2004 fundraising campaign dollar for dollar."Financial support is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage under the Endowment Incentives of its Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. The Program provides funding to be added to collected donations. Its goal is to encourage private sector donors to contribute to the endowment funds of artistic organizations, providing them with access to new and predictable funding sources. This program was created under the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative, which was renewed for a fourth year in 2004-2005, in the amount of $207 million.Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget. Backgrounders are available at the Web site listed below.Information:Anna Wong Communications Assistant Office of the Minister of the Environment (604) 666-4500 Mylène DupéréPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage(819) 997-7788 BACKGROUNDERVictoria Symphony SocietyThe Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island's premiere performing arts organizations. Now in its 62nd year of operation, the orchestra is recognized as one of Canada's finest full-time professional ensembles. The Victoria Symphony Orchestra has developed a strong community presence in Victoria since it performed its first concert in 1942 at the Empress Hotel. By 1964, the Symphony had grown to encompass a solid artistic and organizational framework. The Orchestra has performed under the baton of many eminent conductors, including Otto Werner Mueller, Laszlo Gati, Paul Freeman, Peter McCoppin, Kees Bakels, and Timothy Vernon. In 2003, the Victoria Symphony Society, having completed the search for a new music director, was moving forward artistically with the arrival of a young, progressive and dedicated full-time resident music director in the person of Tania Miller. Ms. Miller is highly regarded on the national scene, as is principal guest conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin.BACKGROUNDERCanadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability ProgramOn May 2, 2001, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program, whose goal is to encourage modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations. The Program comprises four components.Endowment IncentivesThis component is intended to encourage Canadians to donate to arts organizations. The Government of Canada provides arts organizations with funding equivalent to private donations made to their endowment funds.Stabilization ProjectsThis component helps establish stabilization projects, within a specific geographic area, that are run by independent, non-profit organizations governed by representative boards of directors. Stabilization projects support arts and heritage organizations in their areas by offering technical expertise. Some also provide help in reducing deficits and building working capital reserves.Capacity BuildingThis component helps individual arts and heritage organizations that do not have access to assistance from a Stabilization Project to improve their administrative, organizational, and financial structures.Networking InitiativesThis component supports networking projects of national scope involving municipal cultural workers or stabilization projects across Canada.For more information, please visit the Department of Canadian Heritage Web site at http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/pcapc-cahsp/index_e.cfm
