CALGARY, September 2, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), today announced funding for the One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Association.
This funding will be used to hold the 24th annual High Performance Rodeo, Calgary's International Festival of the Arts. The Festival features a broad range of artistic disciplines and genres, including performances in both official languages. All the works presented are original and performed by the artists who created them. The funding will also be used to support a number of community outreach activities throughout the year.
"Our Government is proud to support the High Performance Rodeo, Calgary's International Festival of the Arts as a major artistic event on the city's cultural scene," said Minister Moore. "The One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Association organizes much-anticipated events that are accessible to everyone and help strengthen our identity as Canadians."
"One Yellow Rabbit's High-Performance Rodeo is a premier artistic event that our city is fortunate to host," said Mr. Richardson. "I'm pleased our Government strongly supports the arts and is providing funding to help make the 2010 event the best yet."
"We are grateful for the support from the Government of Canada," said Stephen Schroeder, Executive Director of the One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Association. "This federal investment, along with revenue from public attendance, private sector sponsorship, and other levels of government, is vital in ensuring that the public continues to participate directly in the Festival and to enjoy the best, wildest, and most progressive theatre, dance, comedy, music, visual art, and multidisciplinary performance by artists from across Canada, around the world, and our own backyard."
More than 15,000 people are expected to take part in the Festival, which will take place from January 4 to 31, 2010, at various locations across Calgary, including the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and the Vertigo Mystery Theatre.
The Government of Canada has provided $129,000 in funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
