OTTAWA, March 22, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa-Orléans), met with representatives of the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA) last week to announce to them that Canada's New Government will provide a total of $202,500 in funding to their organization.
"Canada's New Government believes that it is very important for Canadians to have access to the arts and culture," said Minister Oda. "I am therefore proud to support the Canadian Arts Presenting Association, which encourages the presentation of performing arts productions throughout our country, as well as the sharing of cultural experiences among Canadians."
"The arts and culture have a central place in the lives of residents of our region," added Mr. Galipeau. "We must invest in leaders in the arts community, as we are doing today, to stimulate the vitality of our cultural scene and enhance our quality of life."
"The funding that our association receives from the Department of Canadian Heritage, through its Arts Presentation Canada Program, plays a vital role in sustaining our organizational capacity, said Sandra Thomson, President of CAPACOA. The Department of Canadian Heritage and CAPACOA have enjoyed a collaborative relationship for many years, and we are grateful for this ongoing support."
These funds will enable the Association to carry on its regular activities, which are to offer services to performing arts presenters and to organize a national conference bringing together the main players in this sector. The Association will also be able to complete setting up its online database, which contains a wealth of information on resources available for skills development in the field of performing arts presentation. Finally, CAPACOA will be better able to support presenters in their efforts to undertake planning and to train the next generation.
For some 20 years, the Canadian Arts Presenting Association has served professionals working in the field of performing arts presentation. Today, the Association is composed of more than 230 organizations and members. It offers them skills development activities and encourages information sharing among members.
Canada's New Government has provided financial assistance through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
