The Resource Centre for the Arts (RCA), a touchstone of the province�s cultural community, has benefited from an investment of $50,000 under the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP). RCA serves as an umbrella organization for the RCA Theatre Company, RCA Visual Gallery and the LSPU Hall.

"I am delighted to provide this operational funding to the Resource Centre for the Arts, which for more than three decades has been a vital contributor to Newfoundland and Labrador cultural activity and served as an incubator for some of our finest creative talent," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the essential role of RCA to support and encourage artists, which is why we were so pleased to commit $500,000 last year to go towards renovations of the LSPU Hall."

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to the cultural sector of this province with programs such as CEPD," said Bert Riggs, chair of RCA�s Board of Directors. "The Resource Centre for the Arts is a grateful benefactor of this program. This financial support is crucial to our being a viable partner in the cultural life of this province."

Under the CEDP program, the Provincial Government will invest a total of $2.15 million this year to assist with the development of arts and heritage initiatives across the province. The arts sector will receive support for operations, marketing, professional development and export for cultural products. The heritage sector will receive support to assist with conservation, presentation and interpretation of heritage resources, as well as professional development for heritage professionals.

"Providing encouragement and support to the province�s creative talent is a key direction for year two of our cultural plan, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture, a $17.6 million three-year strategy to promote and preserve the province�s culture and heritage," said Minister Hedderson.

CEDP projects are selected on the strength of business plans, artistic vision and potential for development within a specific sector. For more information on guidelines, please check out //www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/services_and_programs.htm

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