REGINA, January 23, 2008 - On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament (Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre), today announced funding for New Dance Horizons.
Funding of $87,000 will enable New Dance Horizons to present two components of their 2008-2009 season: the Performing Series, which features the work of local, national, and international contemporary dance artists, and the Learning and Teaching series, which is the educational tool that allows beginners and emerging artists to explore movement with the company.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support an organization whose dynamic array of programming contributes to the vitality of the region's cultural scene," said Minister Verner. "As the sole presenter of a contemporary dance series in Saskatchewan, New Dance Horizons has delighted audiences with exciting dance performances by local, national, and international artists for more than 20 years."
"New Dance Horizons' professionalism and artistic achievement are recognized across Canada," said Mr. Lukiwski. "I am proud to be part of a government that sees the arts as an essential part of community life and whose investment will benefit the artists and the economy in Regina."
"With a breadth of 23 seasons of creative endeavour, live performance, learning and teaching, and exploration in human movement potential, New Dance Horizons' trajectory has marked an extraordinary artistic path. This upcoming season, we'll see the return of the Masters Series, featuring performances by the great dance artists of our time, who truly embody the heritage of Canadian contemporary dance," said Robin Poitras, Artistic Director of New Dance Horizons. "We are delighted to have Paul André Fortier as the season's featured master artist. The Blueprint Series and the NDH House of Dance Series will provide opportunities for emerging professional artists to develop and present their works. New Dance Horizons looks forward to another year of remarkable dance performance."
New Dance Horizons plays a distinctive and integral role in developing and strengthening the dance community within Regina and across the province. Its programming is of high artistic quality, and the organization occupies a unique niche in Saskatchewan's presenting community. It is dedicated to the ever-changing expressions of contemporary dance and is Saskatchewan's only professional contemporary dance company focusing on creation, production, and presentation of contemporary dance. New Dance Horizons is nationally recognized as a small but artistically excellent dance presenter.
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
Amos Dowler
Chief of Staff
Regional Office of the Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre
306 790-4747
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications and Executive Services
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
