Film and arts industry to play starring role in Nunavut economic development
News release
Investments with Qaggiavuut's Qaggiq School of Performing Arts and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation will help territory’s economic growth
May 21, 2019 – Iqaluit, Nunavut – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
The arts industry, including film, television, digital media and theatre, offers tremendous opportunities for economic development and creating jobs. Nunavut’s unique culture and geography makes it an ideal location for productions. Movies such as Two Lovers and a Bear, Iqaluit: The Movie and The Grizzlies were recently filmed in the territory. The play Kiviuq Returns has been staged to acclaim in Nunavut and Ontario.
That’s why the Government of Canada is announcing over $350,000 to Qaggiavuut's Qaggiq School of Performing Arts and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation (NFDC) for professional training and to support strategic development in the territory’s arts and film industry.
This funding was announced today by the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister responsible for CanNor.
The Government of Canada’s investment with Qaggiavuut's Qaggiq School of Performing Arts supported a now completed one-year technical arts and mentorship program. Trainees increased their knowledge in production lighting, sound, video editing, camera work, set and costume design, along with stage and arts management. Already 12 of the graduates from this program have found work in the industry.
The Government of Canada is also funding the development of a five-year strategic plan for Nunavut’s film industry. The updated plan will examine the current media landscape to determine the best way to promote Nunavut’s film industry both in the territory and across Canada. Once completed, the strategy will provide the NFDC with the guidance to properly target market expansion, job creation and sector development.
Quotes
“The arts sector is one that has major growth potential for Nunavut. Major productions have already worked there, and with a well-trained workforce and a strategic plan, the industry will continue to grow in the future. This is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting training and development of the industry.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister responsible for CanNor
“The arts and film industries have long benefited rural communities in Canada, providing employment and economic development activities. By supporting professional training and strategic planning, the Government of Canada is helping Nunavummiut take advantage of these opportunities, leading to new economic growth and jobs.”
Honourable Bernadette Jordan
Minister of Rural Economic Development
“The Canada Council for the Arts is pleased to support Qaggiavuut! through its Creating, Knowing and Sharing program. This program acknowledges the cultural sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and respects the concepts of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis self-determination. With the Council’s support, Qaggiavuut! contributes importantly to the development of the next generation of artists, as they ground their work in Inuit culture and encourage artistic growth and human connection. We look forward to hearing the voices of this next generation in the performing arts.”
Simon Brault
Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts
“We've found that mentorship and matching young Inuit with a professional in the field is a highly effective way of training technical skills. Learning is done in the context of the high-pressure, creative and collaborative environment of live performance and trainees quickly find themselves mastering skills. An individualized approach allows the mentor to tailor training and it builds in motivation as the trainee gains concrete skills they can apply immediately.”
Ellen Hamilton
Executive Director, Qaggiavuut's Qaggiq School of Performing Arts
“With CanNor’s funding assistance, we will be consulting and developing a new strategic plan for the film, television and digital media industry in Nunavut. We will identify the key factors to best support the continuing growth of this important industry to Nunavut’s economy over the next five years.”
Huw Eirug
CEO, Nunavut Film Development Corporation
Quick facts
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CanNor invested $203,750 towards technical arts training in Nunavut, with the Canada Council for the Arts contributing $100,000 and Qaggiavuut's Qaggiq School of Performing Arts an additional $60,700. Total funding for the training was $364,450.
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CanNor is also contributing $122,006 towards a five-year strategic plan for Nunavut’s film industry, with the NFDC contributing $55,780 for a total of $177,786.
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Nunavut’s film, television and digital media industry is estimated to be worth over $10 million annually to the territory’s economy.
Associated links
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Dani Keenan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-1710
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
Craig Welsh
Communications Advisor, Nunavut Region
CanNor
867-975-3722
craig.welsh@canada.ca
Ashley Tardif-Bennett
Communications Advisor
Canada Council for the Arts
613-566-4414, ext. 6030
Toll free: 1-800-263-5588, ext. 6030
Cell: 343-998-2625
Ashley.Tardif-Bennett@canadacouncil.ca
Ellen Hamilton
Executive Director
Qaggiavuut! Society
867-979-6485
ellen@qaggiavuut.com
Hue Eirug
CEO
Nunavut Film Development Corporation
867-979-3012
ceo@nunavutfilm.ca
Stay Connected
Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @ISED_CA
Join the conversation about economic development in the North:
Twitter: GovCan – North
Facebook: GovCan – North
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