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November 09, 2011
Harper Government Invests in Culture in British Columbia
VANCOUVER - New investments in British Columbia's cultural communties are creating jobs and economic growth throughout the province, thanks to support from the Government of Canada. Investments in 77 projects were announced today by James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, at the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists in North Vancouver. Funding will support a wide range of projects that will help strenghten the economy, boost tourism, and bring people together in communities across British Columbia. Among the organizations receiving support are the Denman Island Recreation Committee, the Dance Victoria Society, the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists, the Burnaby Art Gallery, and the Société francophone de Victoria. "Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in projects that create jobs and help ensure that British Columbia's economy remains strong," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these activities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, heritage, and official languages." "We are ecstatic with this news," said Bill MacDonald, Executive Director of the Smith Foundation and Curator of the Artists For Kids collection. "Having the federal government as a supporting partner means much to the emergence of this new cultural institution for Metro Vancouver. The acclaimed Artists For Kids permanent collection will finally be shared with the local community. This new public art gallery tailored to young audiences will also celebrate Canadian culture by providing fitting inspiration to the next generation of great Canadian artists." The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $3,765,950 through six programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program, the Museums Assistance Program, and the Youth Take Charge program. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.
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