REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Feb. 9, 2011) - The MacKenzie Art Gallery will have the support of the Government of Canada to launch MacKenzie Online: Creating Interactive Experiences. This was announced today by Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament (Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

This project will develop an interactive website and mobile application designed to provide an enriching experience for on-site and online visitors. The proposed website and mobile application will be used to encourage visitors to share their thoughts and ideas, as well as to contribute content.

"Our Government is pleased to encourage cultural creativity and innovation, which are vital to a vibrant Canadian cultural life," said Minister Moore. "Projects like MacKenzie Online: Creating Interactive Experiences make arts and culture accessible to Canadians in an innovative and interactive manner."

"Our Government's funding will allow the MacKenzie Gallery to make artistic encounters accessible to Canadians at the time and location of their choice," said Mr. Lukiwski. "I am pleased that this project will give Canadians across the country greater access and allow them to experience the collections through innovative means."

"The MacKenzie Art Gallery would like to thank the Government of Canada for its generous financial support," said Stuart Reid, Executive Director. "This grant will allow the MacKenzie to lead the field of cultural institutions in Canada by creating a fully interactive website and mobile application that will play a key role in creating meaningful dialogue between the MacKenzie and its visitors. The website will engage Canadians in new and meaningful ways by serving as a place for people to experience and share Canadian culture. This project will help the MacKenzie realize its vision of transforming its community by connecting people with art."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $133,948 through the Canada Interactive Fund. The Fund supports the creation of online Canadian cultural interactive content and applications developed by official-language minority, Aboriginal, ethnocultural, and other not-for-profit cultural organizations. It seeks to support projects that enhance interactive digital cultural content and applications, presented originally and creatively using the latest technologies and platforms.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.caunder Newsroom.