Child's Play: Surrey International Children's Festival Receives Multi-Year Support

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 16, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Surrey International Children's Festival (SICF) will receive multi-year funding of $98,000 ($49,000 in 2015-16 and $49,000 in 2016-17) provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament (Fleetwood-Port Kells), announced this support today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The funding will support the 2015 and 2016 editions of the SICF, which will include a variety of main-stage performances. It will also allow the Festival to undertake a series of public outreach and audience-development activities in the community.

Quick Facts

• The SICF was launched by the City of Surrey in 2000. Next year's Festival will take place from May 21 to 23, 2015, at Bear Creek Park and the Surrey Arts Centre.
  
  
• The SICF is a multidisciplinary festival that presents music, theatre, literary arts, dance, puppetry, circus and visual arts. It draws an annual audience of approximately 18,000 participants.
  
  
• 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 committed to giving Canadians access to a variety of professional artistic experiences in their communities. By providing young people opportunities to learn, grow and take part in gatherings like the Surrey International Children's Festival, we nurture a sense of wonder and help foster a lifelong appreciation for arts and culture."

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

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide support to the innovative Surrey International Children's Festival. The Festival contributes greatly to Surrey's quality of life by bringing artists and children together for high-calibre performing arts and cultural programming. I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to providing access to the arts for all Canadians and to live in a community that makes art and culture a priority."

-Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament (Fleetwood-Port Kells)

"As one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse cities in Canada, we recognize that arts education plays an important role in building healthy communities. On behalf of the City of Surrey, I'd like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage for its continued support of the Surrey International Children's Festival."

-Her Worship Linda Hepner, Mayor of Surrey

"Exposure to the arts inspires critical thinking and imagination. The Surrey International Children's Festival gives children from our community the opportunity to experience engaging, fun, high-quality performances from all over the world that instil an appreciation for the performing arts."

-Judy Villeneuve, Councillor, City of Surrey

Associated Links

Surrey International Children's Festival

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

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