$2.4 million to support the growth of cultural industries

Government recognizes the value in supporting the continued growth of our cultural industries. No area of opportunity for business growth is more promising or exciting than our province�s cultural sector. Budget 2005 includes $2.4 million to support the continued development of cultural industries in the province. This is in addition to the $6 million allocation for The Rooms, $2.29 million for the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, and $900,000 allocation for the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council.

Premier Danny Williams said that with the signing of the new Atlantic Accord agreement on February 14, 2005, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have been reinvigorated by a renewed pride and hope for our future. �Our government is committed to nurturing and building upon this sense of self-confidence and optimism, and one of the most important ways we can do this is by investing in our culture which defines us as a people,� he said.

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Paul Shelley said that government will build on the renewed sense of pride among residents of the province by investing in our culture. �There is a renewed pride in our province and a new attitude that is vividly expressed in our culture,� said Minister Shelley. �Creative artists and cultural industries contribute immensely to the quality of life for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. They celebrate our history, our lives and our accomplishments. They are essential to our economy and to keeping our skilled and creative talent working in this province. Our investments in culture will propel our leaders of today and tomorrow into building a brighter future.�

Cultural Economic Development Program
Government will provide $1.6 million in Budget 2005 for the province�s Cultural Economic Development Program to support cultural industries and heritage initiatives, a 25 per cent increase over last year. The program provides support for arts and heritage organizations; marketing; professional development, and capacity building.

�We are pleased to have introduced significant increased investments in providing support to heritage sites and organizations along with the introduction of a new Literary Assistance Program which is designed to assist writers and publishers with the development and production of indigenous works to ensure both quality and quantity of published works,� said Minister Shelley.

Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
In recognition of its commitment to the continued success and growth of the music industry, government will provide $200,000 in Budget 2005 to the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MIA) to support the continued development of the music industry in the province. This funding will be utilized to strengthen the music industry through professional development, touring, export development, and capacity building.

�Our continued support to the MIA is critical to building on the success of 2004 and in developing the music industry as a significant economic generator in the province,� said Minister Shelley.

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Since the mid-1980s, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has registered over 200 of the province�s most significant heritage buildings. Budget 2005 provides $250,000 to the Heritage Foundation in recognition of its important role. The vernacular architecture of Newfoundland and Labrador is considered distinctive in North America and its preservation is critical for the further development of tourism potential, particularly in rural areas.

In addition, the Heritage Foundation will, through the Government of Canada, administer a new federally-funded program which aims to preserve our architectural heritage. The foundation will receive federal funding of $527,500 to administer the program.

Magnetic North Theatre Festival
Government will provide $75,000 in Budget 2005 to support the Magnetic North Theatre Festival to be hosted in St. John�s in 2006. The festival, which is considered to be the most significant theatre showcase in the country, will bring over 400 participants from theatre companies, presenters and media to the province.

Art Procurement Program
In recognition of the important role of the Art Procurement Program in promoting the works of the province�s visual artists, government will reallocate $75,000 from its existing budget to reinstate the program. The art gallery will provide ongoing support for the management of the collection, and development of a new purchase program in consultation with the visual arts community. It is anticipated that government�s contribution will leverage additional funding.

The Art Procurement Program was established in 1982 to recognize and promote the works of the province�s visual artists by placing original Newfoundland and Labrador art works in public buildings. The current collection consists of approximately 2,300 works of art. Government will continue to ensure that these works are displayed prominently in public buildings and offices and ensure proper management, conservation, and monitoring of the collection through the newly developed policy and its affiliation with the art gallery.

�We are pleased to see that the federal government has announced four-year funding for Tomorrow Starts Today and the Historic Places Initiative in the recent federal budget,� said Minister Shelley. �Our funding ensures that arts and heritage community can fully leverage funding through these federal programs.�

Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
Tansy Mundon, Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928, 685-1741

2005 03 21      2:30 p.m.