August 24, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following is being distributed on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council:

Festival of the Arts planning continues, set to mark 50 years of Confederation

Planning is underway for artists and arts organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador to mark the province's 50th anniversary of Confederation next year.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council has been working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation to design a program which is province-wide, and draws upon film, dance, music, theatre, visual, writing, and multi-disciplinary art forms. The Festival of the Arts is intended to showcase an array of artistic talent to acknowledge the contribution made by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to the Canadian cultural mosaic over the past 50 years.

The current vision is that the Festival of the Arts will be a series of artistic events to take place from May to September 1999 and will be part of Soiree '99.

A call for proposals has been issued to solicit applications from artists and arts organizations throughout the province. The deadline for submission of applications is September 21, 1998.

It is anticipated that festival details, including major sponsors and event specifics, will be formally announced later this fall.

For further information on Festival of the Arts, please contact:

Paulette Campbell
Program Manager / Festival of the Arts
The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
P.O. Box 98, St. John's, NF
A1C 5H5 Location: 1 Springdale Street
Telephone (709) 726-2212 / Fax (709) 726-0619

Media Contact:

Randy Follett
Executive Director
The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
Telephone (709) 726-2212 / Fax (709) 726-0619

1998 08 24 10:10 a.m.