Government of Canada Invests in Arts, Culture, and Heritage in Manitoba

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 16, 2011) - Arts, culture, and official languages are thriving in the province of Manitoba, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. Support for a total of 47 projects was announced today by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, accompanied by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface).

The funding will support a wide range of projects, including the Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids, Roseisle's 125^th Anniversary Celebrations, the Manitoba Arts Network, the Cercle Molière, and the Association of Manitoba's Bilingual Municipalities. The announcement was made alongside leaders in the arts and culture community in Manitoba.

"With Canada's economic recovery still fragile, we are focused on creating jobs and economic growth throughout Manitoba," said Minister Moore. "We are proud to support our artists and arts organizations, because supporting arts and culture is vital to our economy."

"Manitoba's rich and diverse culture is a major contributor to this province's excellent quality of life," said Mrs. Glover. "Our Government's investment supports the creative spirit of Manitobans so that residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of artistic and cultural experiences. In addition, it will help preserve the rich heritage of our province."

The Government of Canada has provided funding totalling $3,537,210 under four programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Development of Official-Language Communities Program, and the Aboriginal Peoples' Program. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.

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

BACKGROUNDER

Today's announcement includes the following projects in Manitoba:

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.

• Amaranth Centennial – Amaranth Centennial; $3,600

• Birdtail Valley Pasture Pickers – Birdtail Valley Pasture Pickin' Jamboree; $1,500

• Roseisle 125^th Anniversary Committee – Roseisle's 125^th Anniversary Celebration; $12,500

• West End Cultural Centre – Ellice Street Festival; $4,900

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.

• Brandon Folk, Music and Art Society – Brandon Folk, Music and Art Festival; $12,000

• Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain – Support for 2011–2012 programming; $17,000

• Festival du Voyageur – Festival du Voyageur 2012; $99,500

• Gas Station Arts Centre – CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Improv Festival; $50,000

• Golden Prairie Arts Council – Programming Support Component GPAC 2011–2012; $8,800

• Groundswell – Groundswell Concert Season 2011–2012; $11,000

• Jazz Winnipeg – Jazz Winnipeg Festival; $75,000

• Manitoba Arts Network – Presenter Support Organization in Rural and Northern Manitoba; $50,000

• Manitoba Theatre Centre – 2011 Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival and 2012 Master Playwright Festival; $61,300

• Portage Community Centre – Mainstage Performance Series; $11,500

• Sarasvàti Dramatic Theatre Productions and Repertory – Femfest 2011: Staging Inspiration; $13,500

• Steinbach Arts Council – Steinbach Arts Council Show Series; $9,000

• Storyline Fx – Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages; $40,000

• The Burrows Trail Arts Council – 2011–2012 Performance Season; $4,850

• Virtuosi Concerts (Mb) – Virtuosi Concerts and Skywalk Concerts and Lectures; $21,500

• West End Cultural Centre – Building Bridges: Culture And Community; $60,000

• Winnipeg Aboriginal Film and Video Festival – Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival; $28,000

• Winnipeg Centennial Folk Festival – Winnipeg Folk Festival, Summer Festival, year-round concerts and workshops; $125,000

• Winnipeg International Children's Festival – Winnipeg International Children's Festival, Circus and Magic Partnership, Festival Of Fools; $100,000

• Winnipeg International Writers Festival – Thin Air; $53,000

• Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra – 2011 Indigenous Festival and 2012 New Music Festival; $75,000

Development of Official-Language Communities Program

The Development of Official-Language Communities Program aims to foster the development of Canada's minority Anglophone and Francophone communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.

• 100 Nons – 2011–2012 programming; $95,000

• 100 Nons – Networking for Francophone music; $20,000

• Association culturelle franco-manitobaine – Development of regional cultural programming in Manitoba; $100,000

• Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba – 2011–2012 programming; $124,000

• Association des radios communautaires de l'Ouest et des Territoires – Together for development; $30,000

• Association manitobaine du patrimoine francophone et métis – Capitalizing on francophone and métis heritage resources; $15,000

• Centre culturel franco-manitobain – 2011–2012 programming; $155,000

• Cercle Molière – Theatrical programming; $130,000

• Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba – 2011-2012 programming; $165,000

• Conseil jeunesse provincial – Team Manitoba at the Jeux de la francophonie canadienne; $20,000

• Conseil jeunesse provincial – Cultural identity projects; $40,000

• Fédération des aînés franco-manitobains - 2011–2012 programming; $61,750

• Fédération provinciale des comites de parents – 2011–2012 programming; $209,000

• Maison des artistes visuels francophones de Manitoba – Advancement and development of visual arts in French Manitoba; $75,000

• Radio communautaire du Manitoba – 2011–2012 annual programming; $110,000

• Réseau action femmes (MB) – Contact/Cooperation; $15,000

• Société franco-manitobaine - 2011–2012 programming; $686,020

• Société franco-manitobaine – Franco-Manitoban rural development; $279,000

• Société historique de Saint-Boniface – Histoire orale : secteur éducation – phase1; $22,500

• UNPAC (United Nations Platform for Action Committee) Inc - RebELLEs Pan-Canadian Young Women's Gathering; $5,000

Aboriginal Peoples' Program

The Program supports the efforts of Aboriginal communities to develop innovative and culturally appropriate solutions to the social, cultural, economic and other obstacles that impede community and personal prospects. It also supports the preservation and revitalization of Aboriginal languages and cultures.

• Graffiti Art Programming Inc. - st.Art Program; $166,490

• Louis Riel Institute - Speaking Michif; $65,000