TORONTO, March 31, 2008 - Emerging and seasoned dance artists from all over Canada will have an opportunity to perform in a new and improved studio space in the heart of Toronto's historic Old Cabbagetown thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced funding for the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre.
Funding of $85,000 will be dedicated to the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre's 509 Dance Retrofit Project. These funds will support capital improvements to a 10 000-square-foot facility with four, fully equipped dance studios.
"This community studio will help increase the availability of creation and presentation spaces for both professional dance companies and independent dance artists from across Canada," said Minister Verner. "It will allow Canadians to participate actively in Toronto's cultural activities."
"The Canadian Children's Dance Theatre is another example of the Government of Canada's commitment to investing in arts and culture," said Minister Flaherty. "As Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, I would like to thank the Theatre for enhancing cultural opportunities for residents and visitors to Toronto."
"509 Dance studios have become a crossroads for hundreds of Can adian dance artists looking for safe, affordable workspace when they visit our city," said Michael deConink Smith, Managing Director of the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre. "It is also home to several respected local companies, including Fujiw ara Dance Inventions, Danny Grossman Dance Company, our own Canadian Children's Dance Theatre, and TILT sound+motion. On behalf of all of these artists, I wish to express our deepest appreciation for the Government of Canada's investment in our home and i n our future."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Cultural Spaces Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program contributes to improved physical conditions for artistic creativity and pre sentation or exhibition. It is designed to improve access for Canadians to the performing, visual, and media arts, as well as to museum collections and heritage exhibitions.
Information:
Dominic Gosseli n
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Maya Kane
Manager, Regional Communications
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416 954-6615
