ST. JOHN'S, June 26, 2008 - St. John's will experience an eclectic international festival this summer, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Norman Doyle, Member of Parliament (St. John's East), today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, funding for Sound Arts Initiative.
Sound Arts Initiative will receive funding of $35,000 to present Sound Symposium, an international music and arts festival to take place from July 3 to 13, 2008. The funding also supports other activities that celebrate new ideas and new directions in music, visual, and performance arts. During Sound Symposium, audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy concerts, workshops, outdoor events and special activities such as the Harbour Symphony, which features a daily musical blast of ship horns.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support the work of Sound Arts Initiative, a group that promotes creativity and innovation in the performing arts," said Minister Verner. "By presenting Sound Symposium and other musical events, Sound Arts Initiative makes a significant contribution to the cultural vitality of Newfoundland and Labrador."
"Congratulations to Sound Arts Initiative for once again bringing Sound Symposium 2008 to visitors and residents of St. John's," said Mr. Doyle. "The city will be abuzz with the sounds of this international festival that has gained a reputation on the world stage -- and earned the affection of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
"Sound Arts Initiatives is grateful that Canadian Heritage continues to support our efforts through the Arts Presentation Canada Program. This July, we will celebrate 25 years since the beginning of our international Sound Symposium," said Kathy Clark-Wherry, Coordinator of the Sound Symposium. "Canadian Heritage's support has been and continues to be fundamental to the growth and success of this world-class event that celebrates sound. The Sound Symposium is a catalyst for the generation of new ideas and new directions in music, visual art, performance art, creativity, improvisation, collaboration, and spontaneous creation for a growing community of artists and audiences in one of the most vibrant artistic cultures in the world."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of 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
Beth Ryan
Communications Advisor
Canadian Heritage, Newfoundland and Labrador
709 772-3076
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
