Tourism, Culture and Recreation
May 5, 2007

Cultural Plan Continues to Support Arts and Heritage 

Arts and cultural heritage add significantly to the province�s quality of life and attractiveness as a place to do business. Today, Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, announced increased support in Budget 2007 to provincial arts programs, heritage organizations and cultural attractions that protect and promote our arts and cultural sectors.

Minister Hedderson, along with representatives from the province�s arts and heritage communities, revealed a number of initiatives contained in year two of the province�s cultural plan at a news conference at the Corner Brook Museum and Archives. 

�In March of 2006 Premier Danny Williams announced Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Developing and Investing in Culture, a $17.6 million three-year plan to promote and preserve the province�s cultural sector,� said Minister Hedderson. �This represents one of the most progressive cultural plans in Canada.  As it enters its second year, this strategy continues to help provide a balanced approach to supporting professional artists and the creative process, along with increased support to arts and heritage industries.�

The second year of the strategic cultural plan builds on initiatives that commenced with the plan�s launch and include the following Budget 2007 investments:

• An additional $300,000 in funding for the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC), bringing its annual budget up to $1.65 million;

• The continuation of annual funding for the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation�s Film Equity Program at $2 million;

• $675,000 for revitalization of provincial historic sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This funding represents the second year of $2.2 million in funding over three years announced in Budget 2006; and,

• $200,000 for the Corner Brook Museum to make the museum more functional and suitable for exhibit development. This funding is part of the two-year $325,000 commitment announced in Budget 2006.

�The multi-year funding increase has been very positive for the Arts Council,� said NLAC chair John Doyle.  �It means we can make longer-term plans and develop new programs that address the community's needs.�

Budget 2007 also provides for several initiatives aimed at developing and preserving the province�s cultural heritage. These include:

• $100,000 in additional funding to encourage built heritage preservation;
• $100,000 to develop a Cultural Tourism Strategy;
• $100,000 additional funding for ongoing research into arts and heritage initiatives, including the development of an Intangible Cultural Heritage Strategy and Status of the Artist.
• $75,000 to develop a strategic plan for Arts and Culture Centres;
• $50,000 additional funding for community museums; and,
• $25,000 to conduct a review of Music Newfoundland and Labrador Programs.

 �It is an exciting day for heritage. The additional $100,000 to encourage built heritage preservation doubles the Heritage Foundation�s grants budget to $200,000,� said Patricia Hatch, a member of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Board of Directors. �This will allow us to increase the amount of our grants, and to direct funding into new granting programs.�

Budget 2007 also provides for Labrador heritage initiatives that have linkages to the Northern Strategic Plan. These include:

• $200,000 to provide funding for Them Days magazine archives to better conserve, preserve and promote the archival records of Labrador;
• $160,000 commitment to support operation of Mealy Mountain Auditorium in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
• $100,000 to provide funding to the NL Arts Council to establish a Cultural Outreach Officer in Labrador; and,
• $100,000 to provide funding to assists Labrador artists and school children in traveling to attend cultural events.
   

�This enhanced support assists us in celebrating our diverse arts and cultural heritage throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,� said Minister Hedderson.  �While we all benefit from a celebration of what is unique to us as a people, the cultural plan allows us to also strategically invest for long-term results such as revitalized communities, increased tourism and the growth of jobs in sustainable cultural industries.�

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2007 05 05                 12:05 p.m.