Supporting World-Class Ballet

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Sept. 26, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School will benefit from $1,668,100 in funding from the Government of Canada.

The Government is providing $1.55 million to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School over two years ($775,000 in 2014-15 and $775,000 in 2015-16) through the Canada Arts Training Fund. This program contributes to the development of Canadian artists by supporting high-calibre arts training institutions.

In addition, a grant of $118,100 is provided to the Winnipeg Foundation to manage and invest on behalf of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. This funding is provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.

Quick Facts

• The Royal Winnipeg Ballet turned 75 in 2014, celebrating three-quarters of a century of teaching, creating and performing dance.
• Every year, 1,200 students attend the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, one of the most comprehensive dance training facilities in Canada. About 100 of these students are enrolled in the School's Professional Division, which is supported by the Canada Arts Training Fund.
• The Winnipeg Foundation, established in 1921, is Canada's first community foundation. Today it manages more than 2,700 endowed funds.
• In the last seven years (from 2006-07 up to and including 2013-14), the Endowment Incentives component has provided more than $132 million to various endowment funds in Canada, while the private sector has provided $185 million, for a total of over $317 million.

Quotes

"The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is a world-class ballet company and training institution. Its success is a point of pride for Winnipeggers, Manitobans and all Canadians. Our Government proudly stands behind organizations like the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, which do so much to enrich our communities both culturally and economically."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to supporting organizations that enrich their community's cultural life and also strengthen its economy. We are thrilled to contribute to the success of this wonderful institution, which is celebrating 75 years of artistic excellence."

-Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South)

"The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division are extremely grateful for the support we receive from the Department of Canadian Heritage. Because of Canadian Heritage's ongoing commitment, we are able to create and acquire new ballets and provide excellence in dance training to passionate young dancers and dance educators. On behalf of our hundreds of graduates working professionally on stages across Canada and around the world, we would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation."

-Jeff Herd, Executive Director, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Associated Links

Minister Glover Announces Funding for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Canada Arts Training Fund

Canada Cultural Investment Fund

Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

The Winnipeg Foundation

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