VANCOUVER, April 22, 2008 - Six arts and culture festivals will once again brighten the cultural landscape of Vancouver, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Ed Fast, Member of Parliament (Abbotsford), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced $614,000 in funding for the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, the Vancouver International Fringe Festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the Vancouver Early Music Series 2007-2008 and Vancouver Early Music Programme and Festival, the Vancouver International Writers Festival, and the New Forms Festival.
"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that increase Canadians' access to the arts and culture," said Minister Verner. "These festivals also reflect the important role the arts play in communities across Canada."
"Arts organizations must have access to resources that enable them to flourish in their communities," said Mr. Fast. "Today's funding will allow these arts organizations to offer unique cultural experiences to audiences in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia."
"PuSh International Performing Arts Festival has cultivated a unique profile locally, nationally, and internationally for providing an exciting new platform for excellence and innovation in the performing arts, and for offering unparalleled networking opportunities for artists and presenters from across the country and around the world," said Norman Armour, Executive Director for the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. "Increased funding enables our organization to further our mandate, broadening the opportunities to engage with our growing audience and the various communities they represent."
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
