Vancouver Island MusicFest Gears Up for Coming Seasons

COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 30, 2014) - Multi-year funding of $80,000 will support the next two editions of Vancouver Island MusicFest, as well as year-round programming presented by the Comox Valley Folk Society. The Society will receive $40,000 in 2014-2015 and $40,000 in 2015-2016, through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Island North), made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

• The 20^th Vancouver Island MusicFest will take place from July 11 to 13, 2014.
• The festival will feature over 100 performances of folk, roots, and world music by Canadian and international artists. In addition to the festival, the Comox Valley Folk Society will present a concert series in 2014 and 2015.
• Formed in 1995, the Society has a history of successfully balancing innovation with tradition and accessible presentations with more challenging ones. It is committed to ensuring that its programming is culturally diverse. Performances feature a number of Aboriginal and Francophone artists along with hip hop and rap, blues, and folk music.

Quotes

"By making investments in local arts organizations, we are helping to ensure that Canadians have access to exceptional artistic experiences in their communities. It is refreshing and invigorating to see the breadth of talent, enthusiasm, passion and determination that is involved in making events like Vancouver Island MusicFest a success."

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

"Vancouver Island MusicFest is the largest folk music festival on Vancouver Island, and it gives audiences the opportunity to see home-grown talent perform and collaborate with international folk musicians. I wish the festival all the best for its upcoming seasons!"

-The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Island North)

"We have watched the Comox Valley blossom over the 20-year history of Vancouver Island MusicFest, and we are very proud as an organization to have been a significant contributor to the quality of life here. It is so meaningful that the Government of Canada recognizes the cultural and economic value of the work we do as ambassadors for diverse music from home and abroad. Canadian Heritage funding helps us to ensure we can continue to present artists of the highest calibre with our excellent production standards without making the festival completely unaffordable to the public."

-Doug Cox, Artistic Director and Executive Producer, Comox Valley Folk Society

Associated Links

Vancouver Island MusicFest

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

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