Arts Abound: Harrison Festival of the Arts and Season of Performing Arts Receive Multi-Year Funding

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Harrison Festival Society will receive multi-year funding of $114,000 ($57,000 in 2015-2016 and $57,000 in 2016-2017) through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund for the Harrison Festival of the Arts and the Season of Performing Arts. Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament (Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon), announced this support today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

This funding will help support community engagement and programming for two annual offerings: the Harrison Festival of the Arts, a cross-disciplinary and family-friendly festival that celebrates music and visual and literary arts; and the Season of Performing Arts, a series of performing arts events that showcases talent from home and abroad, with particular focus on area musicians.

Quick Facts

• The Harrison Festival Society produces both the Harrison Festival of the Arts and the Season of Performing Arts.
• The 37^th annual Harrison Festival of the Arts will take place from July 11 to 19, 2015.
• The Festival presents a variety of programming, including music, visual and literary arts, an outdoor art and craft market, workshops, and a special day for youth and children.
• The Season of Performing Arts, offered each year from September to April, consists of 10 to 12 shows featuring local, national and international performers. It will celebrate its 27^th anniversary next year.
• 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.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to support organizations like the Harrison Festival Society that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of British Columbia. I am excited to see the diversity of artists that the Harrison Festival of the Arts and Season of Performing Arts showcase in the community, which truly enriches the lives of those who attend."

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

"The Harrison Festival Society provides our community with access to a variety of professional musical, artistic and cultural experiences. The Festival especially has been a mainstay of summer and has been enjoyed across generations in the Fraser Valley. I am pleased that this investment will continue to support the important cultural and artistic programming of both initiatives."

-Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament (Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon)

"The Harrison Festival, now in its 37^th year, presents culturally diverse concerts, both free access and ticketed, as well as literary, visual arts, theatrical and children's programming. Canadian Heritage funding plays a major role in allowing us to bring in high-quality national and international performers to our rural area, making the Festival the premier summer cultural event in this part of the Fraser Valley."

-Andy Hillhouse, Executive and Artistic Director, Harrison Festival Society

Associated Links

Harrison Festival Society

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

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