Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 30, 2010Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador
Receives Increased Funding
Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador, producers of the Gros Morne
Theatre Festival, will receive $75,000 in operational support through
the Provincial Government's 2010 Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP),
an increase of $5,000 over last year's funding.
"This funding will be used to offset the costs associated with the
production of the 15th annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival, located in
the small community of Cow Head," said the Honourable Terry French,
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "This festival continues to
provide engaging, entertaining theatre which captures the essence of
Newfoundland and Labrador's rich history and unique culture."
The Gros Morne Theatre Festival runs until September 18.
"Gros Morne Theatre continues to tell the stories of the people from
this area with great success and talent but they in and of themselves
are another great story, with some of the strongest characters from our
time," said Wallace Young, MHA for St. Barbe. "I'm sure their 15 years
of achievement is only the opening act."
"The provincial cultural strategy Creative Newfoundland and Labrador has
been the single most important boost to local and rural arts development
in Newfoundland and Labrador arts history," said Jeff Pitcher, Artistic
Director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador. "The funding through the
Cultural Economic Development Program is allowing Theatre Newfoundland
and Labrador to produce six plays that have been written about, and
developed in, our local area. As a result, our stories will be presented
to local, national and international audiences in 165 performances, to
more than 13,000 people, in a community of just over 300 people. That's
a success story."
Professional theatre festivals in Newfoundland and Labrador have been
provided $255,000 in operational funding through the cultural component
of the CEDP program this year — a $25,000 increase over 2009 funding
levels.
Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future
provides about $2.5 million to support arts, cultural and heritage
initiatives throughout the province, with almost $1.2 million earmarked
for the arts and culture sectors.
CEDP applications are considered based on the strength of the
business plans, vision, and potential 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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2010 06 30
11:35 a.m.