The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that two local dance groups have been provided funding through the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP) to help offset the cost of producing dance events.

Neighbourhood Dance Works, which this week hosts the 19^th annual Festival of New Dance in St. John�s, has been provided $20,000 to help stage the event, which starts today and runs until July 26. A schedule of performances can be viewed at www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com.

East Rock Crew, a break-dancing group, will receive $5,000 to help present Hustle to Get Here, to be held September 18 - 20 at Memorial University. The event will include workshops, competitions and showcase opportunities. For more information, visit: www.eastrockcrew.ca.

"The Cultural Economic Development Program is designed to support artistic expression in its many forms," said Minister Jackman. "This funding will help support these exciting, contemporary dance events, and the talented choreographers and performers who bring them to life."

The CEDP is a $2.8 million program which supports arts, cultural and heritage initiatives throughout the province. CEDP projects are selected on the basis of business plans, vision and potential for development within a specific sector. For more information on guidelines, visit: //www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/services_programs/CEDP/ARTS/.

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Media contact:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca