CHARLOTTETOWN, September 3, 2008 - The not-for-profit organization Ars Longa will be able to continue its cultural development activities, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for
ARS
LONGA.
Funding of $5,000 will allow
ARS
Longa to hire a consultant to develop an operational plan and a long-term financial sustainability plan for The Guild, a well-known cultural facility in Charlottetown. The Guild is dedicated to the production, promotion, and presentation of cultural activities from established and emerging artists, as well as from cultural organizations in Prince Edward Island.
"Our Government is committed to increasing accessibility to arts and culture for all Canadians," said Minister Verner. "Our support for this important study and the development of an operational plan for The Guild demonstrates this commitment."
"I am really proud that our Government supports this initiative to ensure the development and sustainability of an important presentation and production facility in Prince Edward Island," said Minister MacKay. "The presence of The Guild contributes to the cultural development and vitality of this region."
"The programs offered by the Department of Canadian Heritage make it possible for The Guild to grow by sustainable means. Specifically, without the contribution we have gained from the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program, we would not have access to the resources offered to bring about better financial planning for the future of this organization," said Cate MacNeill, Executive Director of Ars Longa. "Such funding has assisted in the growth of both the usage and the profile of the facility to a higher, more professional plane, thus leading to success for both the organization and its clients."
Created in 2004, Ars Longa is a not-for-profit organization that manages The Guild, a facility in the heart of downtown Charlottetown that has become one of Prince Edward Island's premiere cultural venues. The proposed project by
ARS
Longa will address four key areas of financial management at The Guild: identifying revenue generation opportunities, creating a capital improvement plan, developing cash-flow management tools, and creating an external communication plan.
The Government of Canada has provided this funding under the Capacity Building component of its Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage supports modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Claudine Daigle
Director, Regional Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506 851-3980
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155
