The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation:
The Rooms has received a significant funding increase from the Canada Council for the Arts with the operating grant increasing by 74 per cent, for a total of $330,000 over two years. This is the first funding increase that the Provincial Art Gallery has received from the Canada Council for the Arts since becoming part of The Rooms in 2005.
The new Director of the Art Gallery, Anne Chafe, led the grant application process for the Canada Council for the Arts new Engage and Sustain Program, which provides grants to “support institutions as artistic leaders to carry out activities that encourage and promote the work of creators, strengthening their relationships with the public.” Building on many of the exhibition ideas developed by the gallery’s former director and the current Curator of Contemporary Art, senior art gallery staff articulated how the gallery would deepen its relationship with a broad and diverse public, which is a key component of the new program.
In addition, Ms. Chafe indicated her intention to review Canadian Artists’ Representation fees paid to artists and, as decided in the fall, to increase the exhibition budget by $50,000 and hire a second curator, expected to be in place by the spring.
Quotes
“This commitment by the Canada Council for the Arts will certainly help The Rooms continue to showcase what makes our province a unique, vibrant and creative place for all to enjoy. Visual artists reflect the diversity and uniqueness of Newfoundland and Labrador, and I applaud all the staff at The Rooms for their commitment to the arts in our province.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister Responsible for The Rooms Corporation
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of The Rooms, I wish to congratulate all staff in the Art Gallery for having submitted a compelling application to the Canada Council for the Arts which has resulted in the first increase in the Canada Council grant in 13 years. I am encouraged by the efforts of the Canada Council and of The Rooms to engage the entire community with the visual arts and the contemporary artists of our province.”
Tom Foran
Chair, Board of Directors, The Rooms
“Having served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Canada Council, I know that there is never enough funding available to support all the meritorious applications that the council receives from individuals and organizations each year. A grant increase of this magnitude is a strong vote of confidence in the Art Gallery and the leadership of its new director.”
Dean Brinton
CEO, The Rooms
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Learn More
The Rooms – therooms.ca
Canada Council for the Arts – canadacouncil.ca
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Jena Mitchell
The Rooms
709-757-8144
jenamitchell@therooms.ca