MONTRÉAL, April 4, 2008 - Arts organizations in the Montréal area will benefit from an investment by the Government of Canada to foster the development of arts and to enable Canadians to enjoy outstanding artistic experiences.
The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for 18 arts organizations in the Montréal area.
The groups will share over $3 million, provided in response to private-sector donations to endowment funds. Public charitable foundations will hold the Government funding for these arts organizations.
"Our Government is proud to support the efforts of organizations in the Montréal area that allow all of us to enjoy diverse and enriching experiences in such artistic disciplines as dance, music, and theatre," said Minister Verner. "These organizations, which work to showcase the excellence of our artists and the cultural vitality of our country, enable Canadians to benefit from varied artistic experiences."
"Today's announcement demonstrates the Government's commitment not only to the arts, but also to stimulating private sector investments to help assure the vitality of our cultural scene," said Minister Fortier. "As Minister Responsible for the Region of Montréal, I am pleased that the Government is working with partners to strengthen Montréal's position as a world-class cultural metropolis."
"I would like to warmly thank the Department of Canadian Heritage for this very important investment, which strengthens the viability of the OSM," said Madeleine Careau, Chief Executive Officer of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. "It is not surprising that the Endowment Incentives Component is so popular among arts organizations. It allows for the creation of an endowment fund that guarantees the long-term sustainability of the institution, for the funds from both the private sector and the program are in place in perpetuity. This program is an excellent incentive for the private sector to get involved in funding these organizations. I hope that it can continue and improve, given its proven success."
The Government of Canada is providing this funding through the Endowment Incentives Component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program component seeks to encourage private donors to contribute to endowment funds for arts organizations, so that they may have access to stable and predictable long-term funding. This program has provided over $73 million to endowment funds, while the private sector has contributed close to $103 million, for a total investment of $176 million.
A backgrounder is attached.
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
BACKGROUNDER
The following organizations are recipients of the funding announced today under the Endowment Incentives Component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program.
