FORT McMURRAY, Alberta, May 20, 2008 - Alberta's arts community and families will be able to enjoy 12 events and 24 professional music performances on two different stages at Keyano College's Arts Centre thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Brian Jean, Member of Parliament (Fort McMurray-Athabasca), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced $25,000 in funding for this year's Keyano Theatre's Syncrude Arts Alive Presents Series.
"The Government of Canada recognizes that culture is an important part of healthy communities and wants to ensure that all Canadians have opportunities to enjoy diverse and varied artistic experiences," said Minister Verner.
"Arts organizations must have access to resources that enable them to flourish in their communities," said Mr. Jean. "Today's funding will allow this organization to offer unique cultural experiences to the region's residents."
"We are very pleased that the Keyano Theatre has just received Canadian Heritage funding," said Jon Paul Walden, General Manager of the Keyano Theatre. "This funding is an extremely important contribution to Keyano Theatre and the community of Wood Buffalo, and we are very grateful for this assistance and look forward to working with Canadian Heritage in the years ahead."
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.
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
