Hornby Festival to Showcase Innovative Artistic Performances

News Release

Minister of State John Duncan announces funding for the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Hornby Festival

July 9, 2015 – Hornby Island, British Columbia – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada has provided the Hornby Festival Society with $24,000 in funding over two years ($12,000 in 2015–2016 and $12,000 in 2016–2017) through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund for the 31^st and 32^nd editions of the Hornby Festival.

This community festival will include a showcase of works produced by Canadian artists, free classical music performances for children, and a partnership with a local radio station that will broadcast live performances and artist interviews.

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Island North), announced this support today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

This year’s Hornby Festival will take place from July 30 to August 8 and feature performances of folk, classical, world and jazz music by 14 artists from across Canada. It is expected to draw more than 4,000 participants.
This annual festival is one of the few professional presenting organizations that serve the Comox Valley region. Since its inception, the festival has presented over 400 concerts and events featuring more than 1,200 Canadian artists.
The Hornby Festival Society, founded in 1982, is a not-for-profit organization that presents a strong and innovative program of performances, outreach activities and workshops. The Society promotes appreciation of and education in the arts through cultural and artistic programming.
The Canada Arts Presentation Fund 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.

Quotes

“Our Government is proud to invest in projects that showcase and foster local Canadian talent. Thanks to organizations like the Hornby Festival Society, the Comox Valley’s residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of professional artistic experiences. I am delighted to see a vast array of programming on offer at this year’s Hornby Festival.”

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

“We are pleased to support the 31^st and 32^nd editions of this much-anticipated 10-day festival on Hornby Island. The Festival plays an important role in our community by offering exceptional artistic programming and engaging audiences of all ages. Thank you to the organizers for convening yet another exciting lineup of artists and performers.”

—The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Island North)

“The Hornby Festival continues to support Canadian culture by presenting artists from across the country and the world, bringing them together for 10 days of artistic excellence and interaction with each other and our region. It is at events like this that Canadian culture continues to evolve and flourish. We are grateful to Canadian Heritage for the funding, without which our festival and festivals like ours would not be able to continue the work we do.”

—Dierdre Atkinson, Artistic Director, Hornby Festival Society