ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia, September 21, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Ed Fast, Member of Parliament (Abbotsford), today announced funding for The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford.
This funding will support the presentation of the exhibition Vistas: Artist on the Canadian Pacific Railway from October 21, 2010, to January 9, 2011. This travelling exhibit, on loan from the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, will include images that reveal the early Canadian Pacific Railway vision of Western Canada. The exhibit features more than 130 visual art works and historical photographs from the Glenbow Museum collection and from public and private collections in Canada and the United States.
"Our Government is proud to support museums in bringing travelling exhibits to communities throughout Canada," said Minister Moore. "This is just another example of how we continue to invest in local museums and heritage institutions across the country."
"Our Government is pleased to support this museum and the many benefits it brings to the Fraser Valley," said Mr. Fast. "Museums like this one play an important part in sustaining the economic future of Canadian communities, as well as facilitating access to our heritage."
"We are very pleased to have the Government of Canada's support for this very important exhibition," said Suzanne Greening, Executive Director, The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford. "Our exciting exhibitions, which are free to the public, along with a wide variety of cultural programming, present many opportunities for the public to experience diverse cultural heritage and the best in visual arts from both inside and outside our community."
Since opening in 2008 at the Abbotsford Cultural Centre, The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford has emerged as a hub of cultural life in Abbotsford. The facility provides local residents and visitors with dynamic public exhibitions and interactive learning opportunities. The mission of The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford is to be the centre of cultural and creative innovation in the Fraser Valley by offering diverse community-based public exhibitions and visual arts presentations.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $15,000 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Jean-Luc Benoît
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
jean-luc.benoit@pch.gc.ca
Perry Boldt
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
