Government of Canada Supports Arts, Culture, and Heritage on Vancouver Island

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 18, 2011) - Youth, artists, festivals, and arts organizations are thriving on Vancouver Island thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. This was announced today by the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament (Saanich–Gulf Islands), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

This funding will support a range of projects aimed at srengthening communities, creating cultural experiences, and bringing people together. Projects benefitting from today's announcement include, among others, the Victoria International JazzFest, the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival, FirstVoices Mobile Language Lab, the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria Michif Language Activity Program, and the Student Council Democratic Engagement Initative.

"Arts and heritage bring communities closer and contribute to the cultural strength of the region," said Minister Moore. "Our Government believes that investing in arts, heritage, and youth initiatives is central to the economic health of communities across British Columbia."

"The Government of Canada recognizes the contributions of these organizations and the support they provide to Vancouver Island residents and visitors alike," said Minister of State Lunn. "Our Government is committed to strengthening communities both culturally and economically."

"The Government of Canada has been an important partner in revitalizing First Nations language and culture in British Columbia," said Tracey Herbert, Executive Director of the First Peoples' Heritage, Language, and Culture Council. "With funding from Canadian Heritage, we are able to create cutting-edge technology projects such as the FirstVoices Mobile Language Lab, a pilot project that will make First Nations languages more accessible to young language learners and their teachers."

The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $2,580,286 under six programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, the Canada Cultural Investment Fund (Endowment Incentives), the Canada Interactive Fund, and the Youth Take Charge program.

For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.

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

BACKGROUNDER

Today's announcement includes the following Vancouver Island projects:

Aboriginal Languages Initiative

The Aboriginal Languages Initiative supports community-based language projects that contribute to the revitalization and preservation of Aboriginal languages and increase their use in community and family settings.

•  Métis Nation of Greater Victoria – MNGV Michif Language Activity program, 2010–2011; $20,000

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

The Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.

• Saanich Community Legacy Foundation – Community Arts Awareness Week,
  2011–2012; $7,200

• Victoria Highland Games Association – Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival, 2011–2012; $24,900

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

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.

• Victoria Jazz Society – JazzFest International and fall/winter/spring concert presentation series, 2010–2011 and 2011–2012; $200,000

Canada Interactive Fund

The Canada Interactive Fund supports the creation of online Canadian cultural interactive content and applications.

• Royal Roads University – Bateman in Nature Experience (BNE): Effecting lasting change for a sustainable world, 2010–2011 and 2011–2012; $219,250

• First Peoples' Cultural Foundation – FirstVoices Mobile Language Lab, 2010–2011 and 2011–2012; $415,700

• British Columbia Museums Association – Time Travel BC, 2010–2011 and 2011–2012; $110,000

Youth Take Charge Program

The Youth Take Charge program supports youth-led projects and is getting young Canadians involved in a range of activities designed to strengthen their knowledge and attachment to Canada.

• Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors – Student Council Democratic Engagement Initiative, 2010–2011 and 2011–2012; $232,500

Canada Cultural Investment Fund (Endowment Incentives)

The Endowment Incentives component 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.

Victoria Foundation (The)             

• Belfry Theatre Society (The), (2010-2011);  $1,422

• Dance Victoria Society, (2010-2011);  $326,144

• Early Music  Society of the Islands, (2010-2011); $7,111

• Pacific Opera Victoria Association, (2010-2011);  $63,827

• The Canadian Heritage Arts Society, (2010-2011); $2,113

Victoria Symphony Foundation     

• Victoria Symphony Society, (2010-2011); $950,119