Supporting Artistic Excellence

News Release

Government of Canada provides financial support for the Banff Centre

May 21, 2014 – Banff, Alberta – Department of Canadian Heritage

Blake Richards, Member of Parliament (Wild Rose), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that The Banff Centre will benefit from financial support of $2,012,705 from the Government of Canada.

The Government of Canada is providing $1,762,705 for The Banff Centre Foundation to manage and invest on behalf of The Banff Centre through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.

In addition, total funding of $250,000 over two years ($125,000 in 2014–15 and $125,000 in 2015–16) is being provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. 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.

Quick Facts

The Banff Centre, founded in 1933, today provides $3.46 million in scholarships, support, and financial assistance every year.
With this latest grant, federal grants benefitting the Banff Centre total over $10 million.
In the last seven years, the Endowment Incentives component has provided more than $132 million to various endowment funds in Canada, while the private sector has provided $185 million, for a total of over $317 million.
Each year the Canada Arts Presentation fund supports more than 600 festivals and presenters of performing arts series in all parts of Canada. Over 22 million people attend the artistic events supported by this program each year.

Quotes

““The Banff Centre is an economic driver in Alberta and a world-class facility that is internationally renowned for fostering excellence. With our private sector and philanthropic partners, we are proud to support The Banff Centre.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that we are serious about supporting organizations that enrich their community culturally and economically. We are pleased to contribute to the success of Alberta’s vibrant arts scene.”

—Blake Richards, Member of Parliament (Wild Rose)

“The matching fund program and our donors are critical in allowing us to bring talented artists from Canada and around the world to participate in Banff Centre programs. This substantial contribution will have a tremendous impact on artists who create and perform here."

—Carolyn Warren, Vice-President, Arts for The Banff Centre