Saturday evening�s historic event marked the first time the arts council awards show was held outside of St. John�s. This provided a stellar opportunity to showcase the cultural richness of the west coast and its arts community. The celebrations were hosted by Wendy Woodland and Mike Payne, joined by house band The Louis MacDonald Quartet, Lloyd Bartlett, Amy Andrews and Pamela Morgan.

As Minister I had the great honour that evening to join acclaimed author Lisa Moore to present the Artist of the Year Award, which went to musician/composer/producer Bill Brennan.

Other deserving award winners included: musician/teacher/director Korona Brophy for the ArtsSmarts Arts in Educaton Award; Judge Lloyd Soper, who was the recipient of the Patron of the Arts Award; writer/director Justin Simms received the CBC Emerging Artist Award; writer/poet Tom Dawe and music teacher/choirmaster Gary Graham were inducted into the Hall of Honour; and, musician/composer/publisher Eric West received the Rogers Cable Arts Achievement Award. I extend very heartfelt congratulations to all of these deserving winners.

This year�s arts council awards were a great success and I am pleased to note that the council has committed to bring the annual awards outside of the St. John�s area every other year. This is a wonderful initiative and certainly one that is supported by this government.

I extend congratulations to the organizers and the many people who worked so hard to make the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Awards and Gala such a tremendous celebration of this province's art and artists.

This gathering on the west coast provided me with the wonderful opportunity to unveil this government�s plans for investment during year two of our $17.6 million three-year plan to promote and preserve the province�s cultural sector. On Saturday afternoon at the Corner Brook Museum, I was joined by the arts council�s John Doyle and Patricia Hatch of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador to announce increased support in Budget 2007 to provincial arts programs, heritage organizations and cultural attractions that protect and promote our arts and cultural sectors. Our cultural plan allows us to strategically invest for long-term results such as revitalized communities, increased tourism and the growth of jobs in sustainable cultural industries.

2007 05 10                                                     2:05 p.m.