Arts centre, groups receive funding

Rona Ambrose, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and of Western Economic Diversification, announced $211,000 in federal funding for the Yukon Arts Centre and several arts and heritage groups on Monday afternoon.

Rona Ambrose, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and of Western Economic Diversification, announced $211,000 in federal funding for the Yukon Arts Centre and several arts and heritage groups on Monday afternoon.

Ambrose, the Conservative MP for Edmonton-Spruce Grove, is in Whitehorse on behalf of Josée Verner, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and La Francophonie.

The money will help the groups organize a variety of events in Whitehorse, including artistic presentations, musical and theatrical performances and festivals.

The Yukon Arts Centre will receive $85,000 to present the Mainstage Series and Art Lover Series.

The Frostbite Music Society will receive $27,000 to present the Frostbite Music Festival in February 2009.

The Yukon International Storytelling Festival will receive $27,000 to present its annual festival.

Jazz Yukon will receive $18,000 to present performances at the arts centre.

The Nakai Theatre Ensemble will receive $18,000 to stage the Pivot Festival and the Theatre for Kids Festival.

Whitehorse Concerts will receive $18,000 to present the Classically Yours Concert Series.

The Longest Night Society will receive $10,000 to present the annual Longest Night Community Gathering.

The All-City Concert Band Society will get $8,000 to stage concerts in Whitehorse.

“The Government of Canada is proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate local history, arts, and heritage,” Verner said in a statement.

“We are committed to building stronger communities and to providing all Canadians with opportunities to get involved in their communities and to celebrate Canadian arts and heritage.”

“Local projects like these bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and contribute to building strong communities,” said

Ambrose, who is attending several events today and this evening in Whitehorse.

“I am proud that our government has taken decisive steps to strengthen our shared sense of heritage.”

“The success of our 2008-2009 Arts Presentation Canada (APC) application means that the Yukon Arts Centre will be able to present yet another dynamic season, offering some of the best performing artists from across the country,” said Eric Epstein, the centre’s artistic director.

“APC allows us to take risks as a presenter, bringing in outstanding theatre, music, and dance works that we could not otherwise afford.

“It effectively puts us on a level playing field with the rest of the country, despite our geographic isolation and small population base.

Largely due to APC, the Yukon Arts Centre performance season could hold its own in any major centre in the country.”

The federal government has provided the money through the APC, and the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The APC program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

The BCAH program, announced in September 2007, provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.