Education
November 18, 2009
Minister Announces Increased
Funding for Cultural Connections Initiatives
Additional funding is
being provided this year for three arts in education
programs. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of
Education, together with Reg Winsor, executive director
of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC),
provided details today while visiting students at
Larkhall Academy.
�Each year, funding is provided through our Cultural
Connections strategy to better connect artists with
students,� said Minister King. �I am pleased to announce
this year that an additional $100,000 is being made
available, bringing the total amount for our arts in
education programs to $320,000. This will mean more
artists will meet more students, further increasing the
presence of Newfoundland and Labrador culture, heritage
and art in our schools.�
Three programs will receive funding, with the grants
being administered by the NLAC.
�The NLAC is very proud of the success of ArtsSmarts,
the Visiting Artist Program, and the School Touring
Program,� said Reg Winsor. �It is a pleasure to partner
with the Department of Education in delivering these
innovative and engaging programs. This funding increase
is proof that government truly believes in investing in
our children and the arts in a meaningful way. We look
forward to continued success with this partnership.�
The ArtsSmarts program seeks to integrate art throughout
standard school curriculum, to develop intellectual and
communication skills in children through active
participation in the arts, and to enhance appreciation
for culture and art.
The Visiting Artists Program (VAP) supports initiatives
to bring the province�s artists into schools. Schools
can apply for funding to have an artist, group of
artists, or arts organization come to the school to do
such things as present work, conduct readings, offer
performances, and lead arts workshops with students.
This program opens doors for teachers to invite artists
into their classrooms.
The School Touring Program (STP) is an original program
created through the Cultural Connections initiative.
This program is distinct from ArtsSmarts and VAP in that
it provides students with access to artistic experiences
by providing financial assistance to professional
artists and arts organizations for touring productions
to more than one school. A full tour consists of at
least 10 presentations/performances, or seven if the
tour includes one school in Labrador. An artist or
organization can only receive one STP grant per school
year.
�It is important our young people feel a connection with
fine arts, culture and heritage,� said Minister King.
�Our artists and performers are world-class, and through
Cultural Connections, they are going into our schools to
show students first-hand what they are doing, and
providing inspiration to a whole new generation of
actors, musicians, writers and visual artists. Over the
past several years, hundreds of visits have been made to
schools, and we hope that through this initiative, our
young people will become instrumental in expressing and
supporting our culture and help define the province in
years to come.�
Applications for the arts in education programs can be
made to the NLAC. Schools apply for the ArtsSmarts and
Visiting Artists Program, and individual artists,
groups, and non-profit arts organizations apply for the
School Touring Program. Information and application
forms are available on-line at www.nlac.nf.ca or at the
NLAC office, 1 Springdale Street, St. John�s,
nlacmail@nfld.net,
709-726-2212 or toll-free at 866-726-2212.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
2009 11 18
9:10 a.m. |