Projects approved under Cultural Economic Development Program

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Paul Shelley today announced that a total of 22 projects have been approved under the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP) at an estimated value of $210,000. The $825,000 program, which was announced in Budget 2004, supports cultural industries and heritage initiatives throughout the province.

"I am pleased to announce the first round of projects approved through the Cultural Economic Development Program," said Minister Shelley. "This program provides important operational and marketing support to organizations, groups and individuals in the arts and heritage sectors. This not only supports the continued growth of these sectors but also results in increased economic benefit to regions in various parts of the province."

Projects approved include the following:

Association of Cultural Industries of Newfoundland and Labrador (ACI)
The Association of Cultural Industries of Newfoundland and Labrador received $20,000 in operational support to continue its mandate. Established in 1998, ACI serves as a voice for artists and cultural workers in the province, and fosters the growth and development of the province�s cultural industries.

Association of Heritage Industries (AHI)
The Association of Heritage Industries received $20,000 in operational support to allow the organization to continue its work in the development of the province�s heritage resources. Founded in 2000, AHI seeks to bring together the heritage community to share expertise and experience, speak with a single voice on important heritage issues, promote the value of the province�s heritage, and promote high standards in heritage preservation and development.

Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANL)
The Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador was granted $10,000 through the CEDP to offset the cost to members of participating in the association�s professional development events. The Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit, charitable organization representing institutions and individuals interested in the preservation and promotion of the province�s material and cultural heritage, and includes 168 member museums and heritage societies.

Rising Tide Theatre
Rising Tide Theatre received $25,000 to undertake the organization�s 2004 summer program, The Summer in the Bight Festival in Trinity. Rising Tide Theatre was founded in 1978 and has offered local and national audiences some of the finest plays and talent available in Canada. The company has explored current and controversial issues on stage; rejuvenated classics and created works that seek to portray the culture and character of Newfoundland and Labrador. Although the company�s main focus is on artistic expression, Rising Tide figures prominently in the development of the tourism industry in the province. Acting as a travel generator, a cluster tourism product has grown up around the festival. Festival 2004 offers a full program of productions running from mid-June to the Thanksgiving weekend.

Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador (TNL)
Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador received $20,000 to support the cost of its Gros Morne Theatre Festival for the 2004 season and $5,000 to tour the highly acclaimed production Tempting Providence written by Robert Chafe. Founded in 1979, TNL is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and producing professional theatre. The festival is situated just outside Gros Morne National Park and attracts provincial, national and international audiences. Gros Morne Theatre Festival 2004 is presenting eight plays from early June until September. Each year, TNL hires more than 50 theatre professionals and students to carry out its theatre programming.

The Tramore Theatre Troupe
The Tramore Theatre Troupe received $10,000 for its summer theatre program. The Tramore Theatre Troupe was established in 1997 as a vehicle to present the history of the Cape Shore through theatrical productions. The troupe is located in Cuslett, Placentia Bay, operating out of the renovated Cuslett Recreation Centre. Each year the offerings of the company increase and attract a greater audience. The 2004 season includes an exchange with a theatre troupe from Ireland.

Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador (VANL)
The Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador received $15,000 to undertake a review of the mandate and objectives of the association to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of its members. VANL is the provincial organization representing the local visual arts community. As the provincial representative body, VANL is actively involved in the production, education, dissemination and preservation of the visual arts locally, as well as the promotion of visual arts on the national scene.

Writers Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL)
The Writers Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador received $20,000 to offset the organization�s operational costs. WANL delivers a number of programs beneficial to the development of the industry in the province, and offers workshops and readings for the benefit of both the public and its membership. Its programs and activities showcase the province=s writers and literature, and bring economic benefit to authors through increased book sales, awards, book fairs and other events, professional development and opportunities for employment.

Other organizations receiving operational/marketing support include: Amber Music ($6,375); Artistic Fraud ($8,000); Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives ($1,482); Duo Concertante ($4,250); Kickham East ($2,000); Nickel Independent Film Festival ($5,000); Rattling Books ($9,000); Sir Wilfred Grenfell Art Gallery ($6,300); St. John�s Jazz Festival ($5,000); The Cape Freels Heritage Trust ($5,000) Tuckamore Music Festival ($5,350). Visual artist Will Gill received $3,989 toward the cost of participating in an exhibition at Peak Gallery in Toronto from July 29 - August 28, 2004, and musician Duane Andrews received $3,420 toward the cost of producing marketing materials for his recently released debut CD.

The CEDP supports both the arts and heritage sectors. The arts sector will see investment in the areas of operational support, marketing and export for cultural products, as well as professional development. The heritage sector will see investment in the areas of conservation, presentation and interpretation of heritage resources, as well as professional development for heritage professionals.

Projects were reviewed in the context of sound market and business planning and assessed for potential return on investment. Priority is given to those initiatives that make the sector more sustainable. A final deadline of November 15, 2004 has been established with projects to be completed before March 31, 2005.

For more information, or to receive a copy of the program guidelines, contact Eleanor Dawson, Cultural Development Officer at (709) 729-7397.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-0928

2004 07 13                                       1:25 p.m.