ANTIGONISH, Nova Scotia, June 26, 2006 On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Member of Parliament (Central Nova), today announced $12,675 in funding for the Festival Antigonish Society.
Thanks to this funding, organizers of Festival Antigonish will be able to purchase and install sound and lighting equipment and a portable dance floor to convert the Festival's rehearsal room in Somers Hall into a 60-seat performance space.
"Our Government is committed to investing in the creative potential of our communities," said Minister Oda. "This funding will help enrich cultural life in Nova Scotia."
"This funding will allow the Festival Antigonish Society to complete the renovations of a second auditorium where our local artists will have the opportunity to develop and showcase their artistic creativity," said Minister MacKay. "This initiative will generate important cultural, economic, and social benefits for the town of Antigonish."
Created in 1987, Festival Antigonish is Nova Scotia's longest-running professional repertory festival. Every year, more than 16 000 visitors enjoy the festival's stage productions, theatre for children, and summer theatre camps.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Cultural Spaces Canada program. This program supports cultural infrastructure projects that increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and also improves physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation.
Information:
Marie-Anne Marin
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Dan Dugas
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613 995-1851
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
