VANCOUVER, British Columbia, December 19, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament (Fleetwood-Port Kells) today announced funding for the Art Starts in Schools Society.
Funding of $80,000, over two years, will help the Art Starts in Schools Society deliver the Schools in the Community initiative, which promotes professional arts experiences for young audiences, in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
"I am pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting the Art Starts in Schools Society," said Minister Verner. "This organization celebrates Canada's rich and diverse cultural expression and provides young people with stimulating performing and visual arts experiences."
"The arts and culture are among our country's most important forces of social and economic development," said Mrs. Grewal. "I am proud to be part of a Government that is committed to providing access to the arts for all Canadians and to fostering professional arts experiences for young audiences."
"The Schools in the Community program is an essential part of Art Starts' mandate to increase young people's involvement in the arts right across the province," said Wendy Newman, Executive Director of Art Starts in Schools. "Increasing the reach of a diverse range of performing artists helps British Columbia's youngest citizens to participate in their rich cultural and artistic heritage."
The Art Starts in Schools Society is a provincial service organization that delivers innovative arts programs for young people and practical resources for artists and teachers. Since 1996, the organization has supported professional arts presentations and artist-led programs for young audiences in British Columbia. As a network and service organization, Art Starts in Schools' key services include the ArtScan showcase and exhibition, an Artists Directory, artist bookings, and tour coordination.
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances and other artistic experiences.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
