CALGARY, June 28, 2008 - Two Calgary-area arts and culture festivals will once again brighten the summer landscape of Calgary, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada.
Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding totaling $140,000 for two Calgary performing-arts organizations.
The Alberta Theatre Projects Society will use funding of $90,000 to stage the Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays, a national showcase of new Canadian writing for the stage, which presents plays and other attractions throughout Calgary.
The Calgary Jazz Association will use funding of $50,000 to present the 2008 Calgary Jazz Festival, from June 24 to 28, 2008. The festival will feature national and international artists, and jazz groups performing at venues throughout the city. In addition, the organization will present the C-Jazz Carnivale, September 2 to 6, 2008 in Calgary's cultural district.
"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, especially at the height of summer."
"Arts organizations must have access to resources that enable them to flourish within their communities," said Mr. Richardson. "Today's funding will allow these arts organizations to deliver unique cultural experiences to audiences in the Calgary area."
"Canadian Heritage's funding of the Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays enables ATP to diversify our programming and helps to spread the good news about the quality of new Canadian writing for the stage," said Robert White, Artistic Director for the Alberta Theatre Projects Society. "Work premiered at the Festival has gone on to productions across Canada and, indeed, in the United States and Europe. We are so very proud to have Canadian Heritage as a major partner in raising the profile of Canadian theatre artists both at home and abroad."
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 and Minister for La Francophonie
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
