Tourism, Culture and Recreation
April 25, 2007

The following statement was issued today by the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Art Procurement Program

I rise in this House to inform you of how the province�s collection of original works of art has been substantially enriched with the addition of 60 pieces purchased under the 2006 Art Procurement Program. The works acquired from 54 artists include stained glass, oils, acrylics, watercolors, tapestries, wood block carving, sculptures etchings, textiles and mixed-media works. With these recent purchases, the Art Procurement collection has risen to a total of 2,586 pieces.

These pieces were created by Newfoundland and Labrador artists; people living right here at home and taking their inspiration from our beautiful province. The newly purchased works will be displayed in public buildings throughout the province for years to come, bringing attention and recognition to visual arts and artists of the province in the long-term. These works can also be viewed on-line at www.therooms.ca.

Last year I had the great pleasure of announcing a $125,000 budget for the Art Procurement Program: a $50,000 increase from the previous budget of $75,000. This investment demonstrates government�s continued commitment to local visual artists. Our own research shows us that our Art Procurement Program is one of the strongest and most widely supported in the country.

The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery manages the submissions and adjudication process, as well as ongoing support and care for the acquisitions. The art procurement jury is made up of five regional representatives from the arts community.

Through the Art Procurement Program we enrich our public spaces while also shining a well-deserved spotlight on our local artists and their accomplishments. Not only does the program offer visual artists � emerging and established � a chance to showcase their work to a wide audience, it also increases the public�s awareness of the great importance of arts and culture in our daily lives.

I would like to thank all of the artists who submitted their works for consideration and recognize the contribution they make to our cultural landscape. Artists and the art they create are the heart and soul of cultural activity. In Budget 2006, this government firmly established this role in our future by implementing the first-ever strategic cultural plan Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture.

The work of every artist in the province is a testament to the rich talent we have in this province. The Art Procurement Program continues to contribute to the professional development and economic success of our valued artists.

2007 04 25                                                2:25 p.m.

 


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