WHITEHORSE, July 7, 2008 - Eight community and arts organizations in the Yukon will be able to offer more artistic presentations and local festivals, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Member of Parliament (Edmonton-Spruce Grove), 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 for the following organizations: the Yukon Arts Centre Corporation, the Frostbite Music Society, the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, Jazz Yukon, the Nakai Theatre Ensemble, Whitehorse Concerts, the Longest Night Society, and the All-City Concert Band Society.
The $211,000 in funding will help these organizations organize a variety of events in the city of Whitehorse, including artistic presentations, musical and theatrical performances, and festivals.
• The Yukon Arts Centre Corporation will receive $85,000 to present the Mainstage Series and Art Lover Series.
• The Frostbite Music Society will receive $27,000 to present the Frostbite Music Festival.
• The Yukon International Storytelling Festival will receive $27,000 to present its annual festival.
• Jazz Yukon will receive $18,000 to present performances at Yukon Arts Centre.
• The Nakai Theatre Ensemble will receive $18,000 to stage Pivot Festival and Theatre for Kids Festival.
• Whitehorse Concerts will receive $18,000 to present the Classically Yours Concert Series.
• The Longest Night Society will receive $10,000 to present the Annual Longest Night Community Gathering.
• The All-City Concert Band Society will receive $8,000 to stage concerts in Whitehorse.
"The Government of Canada is proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate local history, arts, and heritage," said Minister Verner. "We are committed to building stronger communities and to providing all Canadians with opportunities to get involved in their communities and to celebrate Canadian arts and heritage."
"Local projects like these bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and contribute to building strong communities," said Minister Ambrose. "I am proud that our Government has taken decisive steps to strengthen our shared sense of heritage."
"The success of our 2008-2009 Arts Presentation Canada (APC) application means that the Yukon Arts Centre will be able to present yet another dynamic season, offering some of the best performing artists from across the country," said Eric Epstein, Artistic Director of the Centre. "APC allows us to take risks as a presenter, bringing in outstanding theatre, music, and dance works that we could not otherwise afford. It effectively puts us on a level playing field with the rest of the country, despite our geographic isolation and small population base. Largely due to APC, the Yukon Arts Centre Performance season could hold its own in any major centre in the country."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program (APC), and the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The Arts Presentation Canada 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.
The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program, announced in September 2007, provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and celebrations throughout Canada this year.
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
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155
