Government of Canada Invests in the Surrey Children's Festival

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 27, 2011) - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament (Fleetwood–Port Kells), today announced funding for the City of Surrey.

Over the next two years, this funding will support the Surrey Children's Festival, a three-day multidisciplinary showcase of dance and theatre, as well as folk, classical, and world music. Free events will include clay arts, singalongs, creative play and numerous interactive workshops and performances. The 2011 edition of the Surrey Children's Festival will take place from May 26 to 28.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide the City of Surrey with a stable source of funding to help deliver its highly successful Children's Festival for the next two years," said Minister Moore. "The Festival contributes greatly to Surrey's quality of life by presenting high-calibre performing arts by Canadian artists for young people."

"I am pleased that the Government of Canada supports the Surrey Children's Festival and the many cultural and economic benefits it brings to the community," said Mrs. Grewal. "This outstanding festival has done a great job of developing audiences for the arts in the Surrey area."

"As one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse cities in Canada, we value the importance of arts education for our students," said Dianne Watts, Mayor of Surrey. "I'd like to thank the Government of Canada for their continued support of the Surrey Children's Festival."

The annual Surrey Children's Festival aims to inspire young hearts and minds to greater possibilities. It celebrates the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Surrey and the Lower Mainland through performing and visual arts experiences. Furthermore, in partnership with its diverse community, the Festival creates opportunities for participation that nurture creative expression, celebrate cultural diversity, and honour the community.

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $92,000 over two years to support the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 seasons of the Surrey Children's Festival through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund 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.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)