CHARLOTTETOWN, July 21, 2006 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced federal government funding for the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The funds will support the Centre's operations and various activities, which include developing partnerships with the public and private sectors, providing services and programming in both official languages, and presenting the Charlottetown Festival.
"Every year, thousands of Canadians and tourists come to Prince Edward Island to take part in cultural activities at the Confederation Centre, whose reputation for artistic excellence has extended beyond the province's borders," said Minister Oda. "The Confederation Centre of the Arts makes a significant contribution to our country's cultural vitality. It offers the public exceptional artistic experiences and an opportunity to appreciate our rich cultural diversity."
The Confederation Centre of the Arts was created in 1964 as a major federal-provincial memorial to the Fathers of Confederation. Its mandate is to inspire Canadians to celebrate the creative vision of Confederation and Canada's evolving nationhood.
"We must invest in the creative potential of our communities and cultural spaces so that we can build an even more modern and innovative country," said Minister Oda. "Canada's new Government is committed to helping artistic organizations support cultural activities in their communities and ensure their long-term financial sustainability."
"On behalf of the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust, I wish to express sincerest thanks to Minister Oda and the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting the Confederation Centre of the Arts," said Trust Chair H. Wayne Hambly. "This increased funding will allow us to expand the Centre's cultural impact across Canada and beyond by providing patrons with the highest-quality experience and showcasing Canadian visual and performing arts and artists."
The Department of Canadian Heritage will provide $5,625,000 in funding for the period from 2006 to 2009. Starting this year, the Confederation Centre will receive an additional $375,000 over the $1,500,000 from the previous agreement. The increased annual contribution of $1,875,000 will continue over the next two years and reflects the stable, long-term funding that the Centre was seeking. Funding is provided through the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust Program, whose goal is to increase the ability of the Trust to develop and maintain the Centre as Canada's unique national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation.
Information:
Nancy Heppner
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Claudine Daigle
Director of Communications,
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506 851-3980
BACKGROUNDER
Canadian Heritage
CONFEDERATION CENTRE OF THE ARTS
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008–2009
Committed funding
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
Additional funds
$375,000
$375,000
$375,00
TOTAL
$1,875,000
$1,875,000
$1,875,000
Since 1965, the Government of Canada has contributed annually to the operation of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. In 2001-2002, a multi-year agreement was developed between the Centre and the Department of Canadian Heritage, providing $1,200,000 annually. This amount was increased to $1,500,000 annually in 2002. The current announcement includes a supplement of $375,000 in the current fiscal year and an increase to $1,875,000 each of the following two fiscal years.
Annual supplementary funding of $375,000 is being provided for the period between 2006 and 2009 to cover costs related to the operating budget of the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
The Confederation Centre of the Arts was established in 1964 as the only official memorial to the Fathers of Confederation. Its construction was a joint initiative of the Government of Canada and all of the provincial governments to mark the centennial of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference. The Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust was established to operate the facility.
The Confederation Centre of the Arts is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the building that houses a memorial hall, an art gallery/museum, and theatres.
The Confederation Centre of the Arts' mandate is to inspire all Canadians to celebrate, through heritage and the arts, the creative vision of Confederation, and Canada's evolving nationhood.
