Government of Canada Invests in Arts and Culture in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON, March 17, 2011 - Local arts and culture are thriving in the province of Saskatchewan, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. Support for a total of 22 arts and heritage organizations was announced today by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, accompanied by Kelly Block, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar). Minister Moore made the announcement at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon alongside leaders of the arts community in Saskatoon. This funding will support a range of projects aimed at enriching communities, creating cultural experiences, and bringing people together. Projects that will benefit from today's announcement include the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, the Regina Folk Festival, the Greenfell Centennial Homecoming, the Ness Creek Music Festival, New Dance Horizons, and the Saskatchewan Children's Festival. "With Canada's economic recovery still fragile, we are focused on creating jobs and economic growth," said Minister Moore. "We are proud to invest in Saskatchewan culture because supporting arts and culture is vital to our economy." The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $674,100 under two programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program and the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder. BACKGROUNDER Today's announcement includes the following Saskatchewan projects: 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.

• Conquest Centennial Committee - Conquest Centennial; $5,000
• Grenfell Centennial Committee - Grenfell Centennial Homecoming; $38,400
• Holdfast Centennial Committee - Holdfast's Centennial Celebration; $5,100
• Imperial Centennial Reunion Committee - Imperial Centennial Reunion; $3,500
• Milden Centennial Committee - Milden's 100th Anniversary Celebration; $8,300
• Odessa Homecoming Committee - Odessa Homecoming; $5,800
• Paddockwood 100 - Paddockwood 100; $10,100
• Regina Jazz Society Corp. - Jazzfest Regina 2011; $7,300
• Wakaw Centennial - Wakaw Centennial Celebration Weekend; $9,800
• Wilkie Centennial Committee - Celebration of 100 Years of Council of the Town Of Wilkie; $9,400
• Wynyard Centennial Committee - Wynyard Centennial Celebration; $6,400

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.

• 25th Street Theatre Centre - The Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival; $17,000
• Flicks: Saskatchewan International Youth Film Festival - Flicks: Saskatchewan International Youth Film Festival; $15,000
• Ness Creek Cultural And Recreational Society - Ness Creek Music Festival; $28,000
• New Dance Horizons - 2011-2012 Season; $87,000
• Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society - Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival, Camp, and Concert Series; $10,000
• Northern Saskatchewan International Children's Festival - Saskatchewan Children's Festival; $75,000
• Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils - 2011-2012 Showcase of the Arts, Stars for Saskatchewan, Koncerts for Kids; $55,000
• Persephone Theatre - ISC Youth Series presented by Persephone Theatre; $23,000
• Regina Folk Festival - 2011-2012 RFF programming; $105,000
• Réseau des Grands Espaces - Ongoing development of Réseau des Grands Espaces 2011-2012; $65,000
• Saskatchewan Jazz Festival - Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival; $85,000