WINNIPEG, May 23, 2008 - Four arts organizations in Manitoba will celebrate the arts and contribute to the vitality of their communities by presenting Manitobans of all ages with a variety of music, theatre, and dance productions that reflect the country's rich cultural diversity, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada,
Steven Fletcher, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Member of Parliament (Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for four arts organizations in Manitoba.
"Our Government is committed to providing Manitobans of all ages with opportunities to access a variety of art forms," said Minister Verner. "We are committed to building stronger communities and to providing all Canadians with diverse presentations that celebrate Canadian arts and culture."
"Arts organizations must have access to resources that enable them to flourish in their communities," said Mr. Fletcher. "This funding will allow these organizations to offer unique cultural experiences to audiences in Manitoba and will benefit the artists, the arts, and the economy in our province."
"This program makes the best of Canadian and international theatre accessible to our young people, the next generation of audiences and artists," said Leslee Silverman, Artistic Director of Manitoba Theatre for Young People. "Next season, 55 000 young people, their parents, and educators will experience a remarkable range of culturally diverse performances thanks to the support of the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage."
An investment of up to $162,000 will be provided to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, the Sarasvàti Dramatic Theatre Productions and Repertory, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the Manitoba Association of Community Arts Councils.
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
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications and
Executive Services
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
