MONTRÉAL, May 15, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Andrée Champagne, Senator, today highlighted newfunding for the Cultural Spaces Canada program.
Cultural Spaces Canada helps cover part of the costs of cultural and heritage infrastructure projects, such as upgrades or maintenance to theatres, performance halls, and local museums.
"Our Government is stimulating the economy through investments in targeted sectors, including arts and culture," said Minister Moore. "We are not just renewing our support for cultural and heritage infrastructure projects, we are increasing it. The projects we are funding will create jobs for local residents, as well as provide our community with better facilities where we can enjoy a show, see some artwork, or get in touch with our heritage."
In Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government has committed to investing an additional $60 million over the next two years in Cultural Spaces Canada.
In addition to supporting a larger number of projects, the funding increase will make it possible to raise the maximum level of support provided to recipients for a project. The level may now be as much as 50 percent of total eligible costs, up from 33 or 40 percent previously depending on the project type. Thanks to this new measure, a project could receive between 25 and 50 percent more funding for the same total eligible cost. For the next two years, priority will be given to projects that clearly help stimulate the economy by immediately creating jobs and offering long-term economic benefits.
Senator Champagne took the opportunity to encourage local organizations to apply for funding and to stress the significant impact of the Cultural Spaces Canada program in Quebec, and particularly in Montréal.
"We all know that construction and renovation work can be expensive, but it's worth the money and effort once we see the finished project. Our Government's investment translates into better suited cultural venues for the creation process, training of our artists, more seats in theatres and improved conditions for the preservation of art in museums," said Senator Champagne.
Cultural Spaces Canada seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.
The new Cultural Spaces Canada program guidelines and the changes made to them can be consulted online at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/pgm/ecc-CSP/index-eng.cfm.
Information:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
