March 16, 2005 Moncton, New Brunswick Recognizing the importance of the Atlantic Canadian craft and design sector to the regional economy, the Government of Canada announced today its support to Beyond Borders East: A Craft Marketing Conference to be held from March 18 - 20 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The conference will provide emerging and professional Atlantic Canadian craftspeople, visual artists and designers with specific marketing skills and information that will enable them to target the contemporary fine-craft and visual-art markets in the United States, and to achieve recognition and sales in this highly competitive arena. "This conference will assist visual artists to become more entrepreneurial which, in turn, will enhance the development of Atlantic Canada's fine-craft community at large," said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "The Government of Canada's support will help Atlantic Canada's cultural industries further develop their business skills and become more export-oriented," said the Honourable Andy Scott, for Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non Status Indians. "A conference of this magnitude and of this calibre is a vital tool for developing a repertoire of marketing skills and export marketing information for makers of fine crafts, designer-makers and visual artists," said Dr. Robert Kavanagh, principal of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, on behalf of the conference organizers. "This marketing conference brings distinctive presenters, panelists and creative crafts persons of the highest quality from across Canada and the United States right into the heart of Fredericton, and it makes them accessible to the artistic and cultural communities of Atlantic Canada." A recent study entitled The Cultural Sector in Atlantic Canada: Economic Impact and Export Potential concluded that the Atlantic Canadian cultural sector could greatly benefit from increased business training and more support for market definition and marketing tools. The study found that Atlantic Canadian cultural industries account for $2.1 billion of the region's GDP - an increase of 42 percent since 1996 - and generate 34,557 direct jobs for the regional economy. Beyond Borders East: A Craft Marketing Conference is organized by the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design in collaboration with the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canadian Heritage, International Trade Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts provided a total contribution of $137,293. FOR BROADCAST USE: The Government of Canada announced today its support to Beyond Borders East: A Craft Marketing Conference to be held from March 18 - 20 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This support recognizes the importance of the Atlantic Canadian craft and design sector to the regional economy and will help Atlantic Canada's cultural industries further develop their business skills and become more export- oriented. The Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said this conference will assist visual artists to become more entrepreneurial which, in turn, will enhance the development of Atlantic Canada's fine-craft community at large. The Government of Canada provided a financial contribution of $137,293. - 30 - For more information, contact: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 Étienne Allard Senior Communications Officer Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (506) 851-2893 Robert Kavanagh Principal New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. (506) 453-2305
