NOTE TO EDITORS: Minister to attend 20th annual Arts Awards, April 30, Reid Theatre

Paul Shelley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs, will attend the Newfoundland and Labrador Art Council�s 20th annual Arts Awards at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow (April 30), Reid Theatre, Memorial University.

Government announced an additional $160,300 in Budget 2005 for the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC), bringing the total budget to $900,000. Of the total amount, $100,300 was added to the program budget, while $60,000 was provided this fiscal year to support the NLAC�s 25th anniversary. The mandate of the NLAC is to foster the arts of the province, the key vehicle by which government supports the creative process.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-0928, 685-1741

2005 04 29                                                3:25 p.m.