VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 14, 2011) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for nine arts, heritage, and official languages projects in Victoria and Nanaimo. Minister Moore made the announcement at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in the presence of community representatives.

The funding is intended to support a wide range of projects, including the Société Francophone de Victoria's Festival de la francophonie, the Port Theatre Society's Spotlight Series, and the British Columbia Black History Awareness Society's B.C. Black History and Cultural Events.

"Our Government supports creativity and community engagement through targeted investments in arts, culture and heritage," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these organizations, we ensure that both residents and visitors to Vancouver Island continue to enjoy high-calibre performances and diverse cultural experiences."

"The Société francophone de Victoria is celebrating its 70^th anniversary this year and thanks the Government of Canada for its support of our programming and activities," said Christian Francey, Executive Director of the Société. "In addition, for 2011–2012, the Société francophone de Victoria will benefit from additional funding to provide a Francophone component at major English-language events. This is a new approach to highlight and promote a minority official language."

The Government of Canada has provided funding totalling $630,012 under four programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, and the Cooperation with the Community sector of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program and the Appreciation and Rapprochement sector of the Enhancement of Official-Languages Program. For more information about the projects, please see the attached backgrounder.

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

BACKGROUNDER

Today's announcement comprises the following Vancouver Island projects:

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

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.

The Port Theatre Society

Project: Spotlight Series 2011–2012 and 2012–2011

$124,000

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.

Société francophone de Victoria

Project: Le Festival de la francophonie de Victoria 2011

$17,500

The Nanaimo African Heritage Society

Project: 2011 Black History Month Celebrations

$14,500

The Victoria Conservatory of Music

Project: 2011 Pacific Baroque Festival

$4,600

The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society

Project: BC Black History and Cultural Events for 2011

$3,500

Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program

The Development of Official-Language Communities Program is designed to foster the vitality of Canada's French- and English-speaking minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

Société francophone de Victoria

Project: 2010–2012 programming

$214,037

Association des francophones de Nanaimo

Project: 2010–2013 programming

$185,875

Société francophone de Victoria

Project: Festival de la francophonie 2011

$36,000

Appreciation and Rapprochement component of the Enhancement of Official-Languages Program

This program aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the benefits of linguistic duality.

Société francophone de Victoria

Project: Partage francophone en milieu majoritairement anglophone, 2011–2012

$30,000