NANAIMO, British Columbia, June 25, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, today announced that the municipality of Nanaimo has been designated the 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada in the 50 000 to 125 000 population category.
"Nanaimo recognizes that arts and culture are important to making a community stronger by contributing to the economy and quality of life of its citizens," said Minister Oda. "Thanks to programming created through a dynamic partnership between the city's diverse cultural communities, the First Nations, and artists, in 2008, Nanaimo will offer both citizens and visitors a year of cultural discovery, particularly through such events as exhibitions about the region's industrial history and the Multicultural Arts Festival."
"I'm delighted that Nanaimo has received this prestigious award, which recognizes that arts and culture have a very special place in this beautiful part of our country," said Dr. Lunney. "Canada's New Government is proud to support communities like Nanaimo, which have a vibrant cultural scene where the arts and culture invigorate the economy and enrich their citizens' quality of life."
"On behalf of the people of Nanaimo, in the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations people, it is a great honour for me to accept the designation of Cultural Capital of Canada for 2008," said Nanaimo Mayor Gary Korpan. "As a Cultural Capital, Nanaimo has a wonderful opportunity to Live Our Culture by celebrating our cultural diversity and showcasing our energetic, creative, and artistic people."
The Cultural Capital of Canada designation is awarded for merit, which is determined by the quality of a candidate community's proposed project as well as earlier achievements of that community which demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture.
An independent advisory committee of experts in the field of arts and culture reviewed the applications and presented Minister Oda with unanimous recommendations on the communities chosen.
The funding provided helps support special projects celebrating the arts and culture and the amount varies according to the size of the municipality. With a population of between 50 000 and 125 000, Nanaimo may be awarded up to $750,000. The funds will be used to produce, among other activities, a series of concerts, workshops and contests that will showcase and celebrate Nanaimo's rich musical heritage.
The other Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2008 are Surrey, British Columbia (in the over 125 000 population category) and Morden, Manitoba, and Sackville, New Brunswick (both in the under 50 000 population category).
All municipalities, as well as governments of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities can apply for this program. The application deadline for the 2010 Cultural Capitals of Canada designations is December 1, 2007. Applications for 2009 are now being evaluated.
For more information on the projects proposed by the 2008 Cultural Capitals, the funding they will receive, and the other municipalities that applied, please see the attached fact sheets. Names of past Cultural Capitals can be found on the Department of Canadian Heritage website at www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index_e.cfm
Information:
Jean-Luc Benoît
Director of Communications
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
BACKGROUNDER
2008 CULTURAL CAPITALS
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Category: population between 50 000 and 125 000
Maximum contribution of $750,000
The programming proposed by Nanaimo is a wonderful example of partnership between different cultural communities, First Nations and artists. It seeks to demonstrate the extent to which efforts to promote the development of culture and artistic excellence have positive impacts in a mid-sized community. Nanaimo will present the first edition of the Multicultural Arts Festival, which will help people explore the culture as well as the traditions and artistic works of different Aboriginal and ethnocultural communities. A series of concerts, workshops, and competitions will also be organized to showcase and celebrate Nanaimo's rich musical heritage. In addition, the Giving Voice to Our Diverse History project plans to offer two exhibits to mark the opening of the Nanaimo Museum. The exhibits will show the history of some of the region's key industries, the contribution of immigrants, and the culture and knowledge of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Surrey, British Columbia
Category: population over 125 000
Maximum contribution of $2 million
The City of Surrey has proposed a project called Fusion 08 - A Catalyst for Cultural Sharing. The project seeks to offer numerous opportunities for residents and professional artists to highlight and celebrate diversity and respect between cultures. First Nations and various ethnocultural communities will have a central place in the proposed activities. As a 2008 Cultural Capital, Surrey in particular is planning to recognize the achievements of leaders who have contributed to the development of the arts and culture. The Glocal: Me and My World project, which features new digital technologies, will draw young people and offer them workshops and an interactive exhibition. In addition, the new Fusion Festival will enable Surrey residents to learn more about the city's various cultural communities, through music, dance, culinary customs, and clothing traditions. In addition, six public art projects will be undertaken to highlight not only Surrey's cultural and natural heritage but also its cultural diversity and the fascinating history of First Nations.
Morden, Manitoba
Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution of $500,000
Morden's long-standing commitment to the arts and culture is seen in its Chautauqua Spirit project, which recalls the celebrations marking the first time that the train Dominion Chautauqua came to Morden in the early 20th century. The planned festivities include a songwriting competition in honour of Loreena McKennitt, a renowned international artist originally from Morden. The two-day Back Forty Festival will give Aboriginal performers a chance to display their talent, and a new performing arts festival will be organized to offer presentations of dance and music, as well as theatre. In addition, to leave an ongoing legacy for the community, local youth and artists will create four murals taking inspiration from the Chautauqua theme. The interest of Morden residents in culture and their pride in their arts scene will be highlighted throughout the year under this programming, which will focus especially on Métis artists, youth, and arts organizations.
Sackville, New Brunswick
Category: population under 50 000
Maximum contribution of $500,000
The town of Sackville's project offers a multitude of ambitious and exciting activities that highlight artistic excellence, regional history, the achievements of town residents and the natural environment. As a Cultural Capital, Sackville will celebrate the 300th anniversary of its founding, particularly by presenting four short plays and introducing a guided tour of the town. Young people aged 12 to 17 will be hired to develop a program that encourages the creation of musical works for recording on CD and video. Sackville will also be the site for the International Environment Sculpture Conference, during which local, regional, national, and international artists will create works of art throughout the town using natural materials. The industrial history of the community will be featured in an exhibit and in organized activities marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of Sackville's first museum.
BACKGROUNDER
Candidate Cities for Cultural Capital of Canada 2008
Over 125 000 population
Lambton County, Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario
Surrey, British Columbia
Windsor, Ontario
50 000 to 125 000 population
Brantford, Ontario
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Moncton, New Brunswick
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Under 50 000 population
Estevan, Saskatchewan
Morden, Manitoba
Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
Port Alberni, British Columbia
Sackville, New Brunswick
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
