Minister Announces Over $71,000 in Additional Cultural Sector Funding

Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural sector is getting an additional $71,467 boost, with new project funding recently approved through the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP).

"As a Provincial Government, we are committed to continued development of our cultural industries and to enabling our creative talent to live and work in this province," said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "By investing in these projects, we are providing professional artists and organizations the opportunity to express their talents, and promote their products, in a manner which contributes to Newfoundland and Labrador's vibrant culture and economy."

In addition to CEDP funding previously announced for the cultural sector, recent investments include:

• Source Studio – $10,530 to offset costs associated with attending the Game Developers Conference, the world's largest video game conference for industry professionals, to be held March 9-13, 2010, in San Francisco.
• Réseau culturel francophone de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador – $10,000 to assist with the development and growth of the province's Francophone artists and artisans, and with the organization's advocacy on behalf of the province's Francophone and Acadian cultures.
• Labrador North Chamber of Commerce – $10,000 to offset costs associated with attendance by Labrador artists at the 2010 Northern Lights Conference and Trade Show, held January 27-30, 2010, in Montreal.
• Nickel Independent Film Festival – $5,000 to help with the redesign of its website in preparation for its 10th anniversary program of events, to be held June 22-26, 2010. This is in addition to $10,000 provided in 2009 to support the five-day festival held this past June.
• Labrador Creative Arts Festival – $5,000 to offset costs associated with its 34th annual festival, to be held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, February 23-March 2, 2010.
• Motion Show – $5,000 to assist in the creation of a web portal to exhibit the new media project entitled Donnie Dumphy as it develops beyond the online broadcast stage.
• Rink Rat Productions – $4,950 to offset costs associated with the development and implementation of a marketing strategy to include a new company website and brand.
• A1C Gallery – $4,910 to assist with marketing activities, including website enhancement and the production of promotional materials related to four of eight exhibitions scheduled for 2010.
• Full Tilt Newfoundland Enterprises – $3,757 to help with the production of promotional materials, including printed resources and an updated website, to enhance marketing efforts of the Full Tilt Creative Centre, located in McIvers.
•  Michael Pittman (Visual Artist) – $3,320 to offset costs associated with the production of two catalogues representing his recent artwork: A History of Madness and Hagridden.
• Darka Erdelji (Visual Artist) – $3,000 to help develop a website to act as a publicity tool, with the aim of generating increased exposure nationally and internationally, and fostering online sales.
• Andrew Draskoy (Choreographer/Dance Artist) – $3,000 to offset costs associated with website development to facilitate business goals relating to his historical dance activities.
• Doug Allen (Photographer) – $3,000 to assist with the cost of creating an e-commerce website that will focus on visitor experience and promote sales.

Budget 2009: Building on our Strong Foundation, provided $2.8 million to support arts, cultural and heritage initiatives throughout the province, with $1.5 million earmarked for the arts and culture sectors. CEDP projects are selected based on the strength of the business plans, vision, and potential for development within the sector. For more information on the CEDP program and application guidelines, please visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/artsculture/cedp/index.html.

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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 

2010 02 18                                                   10:05 a.m.