Minister Announces Funding for Arts and Heritage 

The Williams Government�s ongoing effort to develop cultural industries has been assisted with the approval of $287,000 for various projects through the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP). 

"I am pleased to announce the most recent round of projects approved under this year�s Cultural Economic Development Program," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.  "Our investments in these projects are an important part of initiatives contained in year two of our cultural plan Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture, a $17.6 million three-year plan to promote and preserve the province�s culture and heritage.  This demonstrates our commitment to cultural industries in communities across Newfoundland and Labrador and to keeping our creative talent in the province." 

Under Budget 2007, the Provincial Government will invest a total of $2.15 million through CEDP to help develop and support arts and heritage organizations and projects across the province.  The arts sector will receive support for operations, marketing, professional development and export for cultural products.  The heritage sector will receive support to assist with conservation, presentation and interpretation of heritage resources, as well as professional development for heritage professionals. 

CEDP projects are selected on the strength of business plans, vision and potential for development within a specific sector.  For more information on guidelines, please check out //www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/services_and_programs.htm 

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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 

BACKGROUNDER
Projects Approved through the Cultural Economic Development Program 

Newfoundland Conservation Association � $2,368 towards the organization of two conservation workshops to be held during the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Conservation. 

Waterloo Orange Museum � $900 towards the construction of proper enclosures to preserve and protect artifacts for public viewing. 

Bay Roberts Heritage Society � $2,025 towards the cataloguing and digitizing of a collection of veterans� photographs and other memorabilia at the Royal Canadian Legion, Bay Roberts Branch.  Once catalogued, the artifacts will be placed on display at the Road to Yesterday Museum in Bay Roberts. 

Burnside � $10,000 towards the prevention of natural erosion at the Beaches archaeological site in Burnside.  This conservation work will protect a 560-year-old Beothuk hearth that was discovered in 2005. 

Trinity Historical Society � $12,760 towards the development of a collections assessment and preservation strategy, along with archival research into the role of the Newfoundland Constabulary in Trinity. 

St. Thomas� Anglican Church � $2,970 towards the archival arrangement and description of the church�s records.  This will allow the records to be more easily accessible to the public. 

Greenspond Historical Society � $6,000 towards research into the communities in the Bonavista North area and the expansion of an inventory of historic properties in the area.  This research will provide the background information for interpretive panels and museum exhibits. 

Crow�s Nest Military Artifacts Association � $10,000 towards cataloguing the three-dimensional artifacts in the Crow�s Nest Officer�s Club.  This will increase the accessibility of the collection and raise awareness of the naval history of World War II as it pertains to St. John�s. 

Folklore and Language Archive, Memorial University � $10,000 towards the development of an intangible cultural heritage inventory for the 10 communities of Fogo Island. 

Town of Placentia � $8,000 towards the Phase 1 development of a cultural tourism strategy.  This will link the archaeological exploration and oral history projects for the economic and historic development of the town. 

Writers at Woody Point Literary Festival � $4,600 towards the fourth annual Writers at Woody Point Literary Festival to be held August 15-19, 2007, in Bonne Bay South. 

Christine Koch � $3,780 towards the production of promotional materials. Christine Koch is a painter and printmaker based in St. John�s.  Her work focuses on visual interpretations of geology and landscape. 

Andy Jones Productions � $20,000 towards touring, promotion and operations for the fiscal year 2007-08.  Andy Jones has performed in theatre productions across Canada and England and has written, performed and toured a number of successful one-man shows, including Out of the Bin, Still Alive, King O� Fun, To the Wall, and Uncle Val. 

Rising Tide Theatre � $60,000 towards the production of its 2007 Summer in the Bight Festival in Trinity, in operation since 1978.  The 2007 season will include 12 different plays, dinner theatre, the New Founde Trinity Pageant and other special events, running between May and October. 

The Newfoundland Quarterly � $23,000 toward the production and marketing of four magazines for the fiscal year 2007-08.  The Newfoundland Quarterly is a 104-year old journal celebrating the distinctive culture of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

East Rock Crew � $5,000 towards attendance at the Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa, June 19-23, where the five-person dance group will showcase performances and take part in professional development activities. 

Brad Hodder � $2,196 towards attendance at the International Director�s Masterclass, offered by the Canadian Actor�s Equity Association in Ottawa, June 5-17. 

Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador � $55,000 towards the production of its 2007 Gros Morne Theatre Festival held each summer in Cow Head.  The festival has been creating and producing professional theatre since 1979. 

Mary Fearon � $1,665 towards attendance at the Master Storytelling course at the annual conference of Storytellers of Canada, McMaster�s University in Hamilton, Ontario, July 1-8. 

Grand Bank Regional Theatre � $20,000 towards the production of its 2007 summer theatre festival founded in 1995 and located in Grand Bank on the Burin Peninsula. 

The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Council � $18,950 towards the production of the 2007‑08 season, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, Storytelling Festival, Gower Wassail, Young Folk at the Hall, and Folk Night.

2007 06 05                                        12:40 p.m.