Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
July 3, 2015
Investing in Cultural Economic Development
Major Festivals Receive Approximately $500,000 from Provincial Government
Building upon a long-standing commitment to the arts and economic diversification, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing funding of approximately $500,000 to support major cultural festivals and events this year.
“Cultural pursuits such as theatres, festivals, and special events are important to our provincial identity and provide increased opportunities for professional artists. These events are important economic drivers which both celebrate our culture and attract visitors and tourists. This is an investment in economically sustainable arts activities and one that will continue to foster a rich and diverse cultural sector for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Through funding of approximately $500,000, local entrepreneurs, organizations and communities will be able to provide significant attractions for visitors to our province.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Funding is being provided to 18 organizations in 2015 in the genres of theatre, music, film, literature and dance. A list of the recipients is contained in the attached backgrounder.
“Festivals and events offer wonderful avenues to not only celebrate Newfoundland and Labrador's culture, but also attract travellers and allow them to truly experience the unique sights, sounds and flavours of our province. Investment in sustainable cultural development creates further opportunities to showcase our tourism product and engage visitors, resulting in economic spin-offs that can be realized across all regions.”
- Rex Avery, Chair, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
The Cultural Economic Development program provides financial support to professional arts organizations for events or projects that stimulate sustainable economic development of the province’s cultural resources.
“We are so pleased to have the continued support of the Provincial Government as we look forward to another successful season at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival. The wonderful event we stage in Cow Head speaks for itself in terms of economic and cultural contribution to the province, but it would not be possible without our supporters from government and the wider community.”
- Gylene Buckle, General Manger, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador
The awareness of, and interest in, Newfoundland and Labrador as a tourism destination is at an all-time high. To build on this momentum, Budget 2015 includes a $2 million increase to the tourism marketing budget, bringing the total budget to $13 million.
QUICK FACTS:
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is supporting major cultural festivals and events with approximately $500,000 in funding.
- Eighteen events will be supported in 2015 in the genres of theatre, music, film, literature and dance.
- The Cultural Economic Development program provides financial support to professional arts organizations for events or projects that stimulate sustainable economic development of the province’s cultural resources.
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Media contact:
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Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Cultural Events Supported Through Provincial Government Investment
The Provincial Government is supporting 18 major festivals and theatres this year. The organizations receiving funding are:
Rising Tide Theatre
Theatre Newfoundland & Labrador
Grand Bank Regional Theatre
Beyond the Overpass Theatre
Stephenville Theatre Festival
New World Theatre
NL Folk Festival
Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues
Tuckamore Festival
Opera on the Avalon
St. John’s Int’l Women's Film Festival
The Nickel Independent Film Festival
Festival of New Dance
Winterset
Woody Point Literary Festival
Cape St. Mary’s
Lawnya Vawyna
Shakespeare By The Sea
2015 07 03 10:20 a.m.