Province Announces Support to Celtic Colours

Celtic Colours is celebrating 20 years of music and culture, and the province continues to invest in the festival's success.

Derek Mombourquette, MLA Sydney-Whitney Pier, on behalf of Tony Ince, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, announced today, Oct. 6, a provincial commitment of $160,000 this year.

Today's announcement brings the total provincial investment in the festival to $880,800 over the past five years.

"On the 20th anniversary of Celtic Colours, the government of Nova Scotia is celebrating all this festival offers and our own contribution," said Mr. Mombourquette. "It has grown significantly, with more musicians, artists and venues, and this anniversary is an even greater boost to the cultural economy and to tourism."

Cultural funding supports growth of the province's cultural economy, which brings $949 million and 14,000 jobs to Nova Scotia.

Celtic Colours is a significant success story in Nova Scotia’s culture sector.

Beginning in 1997 as a fall music festival, it is now one of Canada's premier tourism events, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from more than two dozen countries.

"Celtic Colours works with more than 100 groups in 60 communities," said Joella Foulds, executive director, Celtic Colours. "The festival provides a sense of community pride through the celebration of our culture and our beautiful environment.

"It brings new skills, new experiences and reinforces the value of hospitality that is so important in Cape Breton. It is successful because of our people, volunteers, staff and partners who are there year after year."

The festival runs Oct. 7 to 15. Audiences will enjoy music, art, and Cape Breton culture and food in community halls and performance and exhibition venues across the island. Many visitors also hike or cycle through Cape Breton's spectacular scenery. Details are available at http://celtic-colours.com .

The celebration of culture brings economic benefits to Cape Breton through artist fees, accommodations, transportation, equipment and vehicle rentals, food and beverages, purchases from artisans of every type and retail purchases, gasoline and more. Between 2012 and 2015, Celtic Colours audiences spent $38 million in Nova Scotia.