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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 30, 2010

Theatre 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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Media contacts:

Debbie Marnell
Communications Specialist
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0585, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Gaylene Buckle
General Manager
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador
709-639-7238
tnl@theatrenewfoundland.com
 

2010 06 30                         11:35 a.m.


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