The province�s writing community is receiving support with an investment of $60,000 to the Writers� Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL) under the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP).

"The outstanding work of Newfoundland and Labrador writers continues to garner a reputation for creative excellence at home and abroad," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism Culture and Recreation. "This funding demonstrates the Provincial Government�s firm commitment to support and encourage writers all over Newfoundland and Labrador and to allow this celebrated group to remain in the province. This is an important direction 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 strategy to promote and preserve the province�s culture and heritage."

"The written word is a powerful thing; it can shape the very reality we live in. It allows us not only to celebrate the uniqueness of our individual and cultural experiences here in Newfoundland and Labrador, but also to re-imagine our collective future," said WANL President Mark Callanan. "That the Provincial Government is taking steps to highlight the importance of art in articulating the world around us is a great thing. Its increased financial support of the literary arts has been a great boon to the Writers� Alliance and has allowed us to implement new artistic and community outreach initiatives that will serve not only local writers, but the people of this province as a whole."

Under the CEDP program, the Provincial Government will invest a total of $2.15 million this year to assist with the development of arts and heritage initiatives 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, artistic 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.