Government of Canada Supports Arts and Culture in New Brunswick

FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - March 24, 2011) - Thanks to an innovative program of the Government of Canada, two New Brunswick organizations are enjoying a boost to their fundraising efforts. This was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

"Our Government has a plan for culture, and providing long-term stability for arts organizations is part of that plan," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is particularly proud of this special initiative that encourages private donors to support arts organizations, by providing matching funds to their fundraising efforts."

"Partnering with private donors to increase sources of funding is one of the keys to helping our cultural sector flourish," said Minister Ashfield. "Thanks to our ongoing support, artists and arts organizations in New Brunswick can better plan their activities and continue to offer Canadians great artistic experiences."

"The endowment incentives are very valuable to cultural institutions that wish to establish a stable source of revenue to fund awards, add new elements to regular programming, or pay operational costs," said Indu Varma, President of the New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts. "The grant gives institutions room to operate freely, while enabling communities to support them as they work toward a goal. It's a winning formula."

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $3,555 to Musical Ventures and $4,266 to the Organization for the Development of Artist-Gallery Connexion. The New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts will manage and invest the total amount of $7,821 for the two arts organizations. Funding is provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.

This year, the Government of Canada is providing 71 cents for every dollar donated by the private sector. Since 2006, the program has provided $78 million to various endowment funds, while the private sector has provided $120 million, for a total of $198 million.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)