Province Announces Culture Sector Projects

Cultural producers in Nova Scotia will receive help expanding into national and international markets, thanks to ongoing provincial investments in the culture sector.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald announced today, Aug. 22, that a total of $100,270 will be provided to support 17 cultural projects across the province.

"We are working with the culture sector to help grow the industry in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacDonald. "By supporting projects like the ones announced today, we can strengthen our province's unique culture both at home and abroad."

Mr. MacDonald made the announcement at the Inverness County Centre for the Arts. The centre will receive $10,000 to support an exhibition of Inverness County visual artists at the Toronto International Art Fair.

"The funding from the province will allow us to showcase many local works of art to the world," said Kathy Hannigan, executive director. "It's a tremendous opportunity for our artists to gain international exposure."

The Industries Program invests about $450,000 in cultural projects each year. The projects announced today are the first to receive funding this fiscal year.

Information on the Industries Program is available from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage by calling 902-424-6397 or by visiting the Industries Program link on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/culture/culture_funding.asp . The next deadline for applications is Thursday, Sept. 15.

Cultural activities in Nova Scotia generate about $1 billion and create 28,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Note: Following are the 17 projects receiving funding through the Industries Program.

South:

• Bonnie Baker, Wayne Boucher and Francois Gaudet will receive $4,100 to help 10 visual artists from Nova Scotia enter the northeastern U.S. market.

• Region of Queens Municipality will receive $9,375 for the creation of a marketing brand for cultural products and assets in Queens County.

• James Bennet, Laura Bennet, Nancy Marshall and Alexander Tilley will receive $4,500 to take the musical Out of Lunenburg to venues outside of Nova Scotia.

Halifax Regional Municipality:

• John Macnab, Dawn MacNutt and Steve Kennard will receive $9,000 to exhibit their works at the Sculptural Objects and Functional Art Show in Chicago.

• Chris Feargrieve, Judy Parsons and Lynn Rotin will receive $8,000 to exhibit fine craft at the one of A Kind Show in Toronto.

• Ivan Murphy, Gordon MacDonald and Dawn McNutt will receive $2,210 to further explore export development opportunities in New York.

• Paul Hannon, kikker.com, Etc. Press and Image House Digital Inc. will receive $4,500 to support expansion into new markets.

• Shakespeare by the Sea will receive $2,500 to help with marketing activities aimed at out-of-province tourists.

• Societe Grou Tyme Acadien will receive $10,000 to help with marketing Le Grand Cercle as part of the Grou Tyme Festival.

Cape Breton:

• Inverness County Centre for the Arts will receive $10,000 to support an exhibition of local visual artists at the Toronto International Art Fair.

• Savoy Theatre will receive $5,000 to help with out-of-province marketing for the production Island Mania.

• Donovan Productions, Kewniq Recordings and Productions, and Gryphon Productions will receive $9,375 to help with the development of a sustainable industry for aboriginal tourism and new media productions in Cape Breton.

Provincial:

• Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council will receive $5,000 to help co-ordinate an exhibition by Donna Hebert Design at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia.

• Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council will receive $4,600 to help with the development of a website for the Mary Black Gallery.

• Visual Arts Nova Scotia will receive $2,110 to support a series of export development and marketing workshops.

• Astor Theatre will receive $5,000 to support Nova Scotian artists participating in Contact East, Atlantic Canada's performing arts trade show, in Summerside, P.E.I.

• Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association will receive $5,000 to help with Atlantic Book Week.