Province Supports Growth of Cultural Organizations

TOURISM/CULTURE--Province Supports Growth of Cultural Organizations

The Nova Scotia government is helping cultural organizations across the province promote their activities, open new markets and increase sales.

Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald made the announcement today, Dec. 19, at the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia's (MIANS) office. A total of $165,890 will support 23 culture projects across the province. The money comes from the province's Cultural Industries Program.

"These projects are exciting because they will increase awareness and expand sales of Nova Scotia art, theatre, music and literature beyond the boundaries of our province," said Mr. MacDonald.

Overall economic impact of the activities is estimated at $683,495.

"This support is more than money for projects, it's an investment in our communities," said Mr. MacDonald. "Art and culture can strengthen a community's social fabric, contribute to its economy and enrich life-long learning."

MIANS is leading two projects that received support under the program.

"This is the kind of assistance we need to get out there and try new things and gain new ground," said Jim Stewart, president of MIANS. "It's certainly a boost to the continued economic growth of cultural enterprise in Nova Scotia."

MIANS will receive $10,000 to assist four Nova Scotia performers who were highlighted at the Montalvo Theatre in San Jose, California in November 2002. The three-night showcase put Lennie Gallant, Mary Jane Lamond, Glenn and Amy Graham and Kendra MacGillvray in front of a major music market, international media, theatre performers and booking agents. The performance resulted in Glenn and Amy Graham's song being played on a recent episode of the television show Dawson's Creek and Amy being offered an opening spot at a future Montalvo event. MIANS will also receive $3,000 to assist its 2002-03 Speakers Series.

The department offers a number of programs in support of Nova Scotia's culture sector, among them is the Cultural Industries Program. The investment support from this program is leading to increased sales of Nova Scotia product in international markets; increased jobs in cultural industries; increased recognition of the value of cultural goods and services; and increased levering of private-sector investment. Cultural industry organizations have two opportunities each year to apply for assistance under the program. The next deadline is set for Feb. 1, 2003.

Overall, the province is investing more than $5 million in cultural programming. Additional provincial resources support cultural tourism and cultural heritage activities throughout the province.

Note: Following are the 23 selected projects.

• Arts Atlantic Magazine, based in Halifax, will receive $8,040 for the creation of a professional media and advertising kit.

• B3 Productions of Yarmouth is partnering with the Congrès mondial acadien 2004 to initiate contract negotiations for the European broadcast of the closing show of the Congrès. The project will receive $6,000 in support.

• Liverpool's Astor Theatre will use its $9,188 to provide financial assistance to presenters representing performance venues from around the province, to attend the Canadian Arts Presenting Association annual conference.

• Atlantic Canada World Trade Centre in Halifax will receive $10,000 to assist with the production of the International Café Showcase in Halifax.

• Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design will use its $7,500 to develop and implement a marketing and communications plan for the centre's new Web site.

• Conseil Culturel Acadien de la Nouvelle-Ecosse, based in Dartmouth, will receive $2,500 to send a delegation of Acadian artists and producers to FrancoFête Dieppe-Moncton.

• The East Coast Music Association will use $10,000 to assist the International Program of the 2003 East Coast Music Awards.

• Grey Sea Entertainment of Dartmouth will partner with Eastlink Television and Sherbrooke Village to produce the John Gracie's Old Fashioned Christmas television show at Sherbrooke Village. The project is receiving $10,000 in support.

• Ground Swell Productions, CBC and Cultural Affairs Consulting and Promotion will receive $10,000 to market MacKinnon's Brooke Suite to North American orchestras.

• Halifax Art Map will use $5,000 to assist with a colour print directory that promotes artists and galleries in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

• Isabelle Arciero-Mahier will receive $9,900 to assist Nova Scotia artists participating in the Artistes Canadiens de la Nouvelle-Ecosse 2003 exhibit in France.

• Joe Richman, based in Halifax, will receive $10,000 to assist a consortium of visual artists with a commercial exhibition in Ontario.

• Morel Promotions Inc., based in Dartmouth, will use its $10,000 to assist the band Glamour Puss and Magic Blues to expand European markets.

• The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia (MIANS) will receive $10,000 to assist four Nova Scotia performers who will be highlighted at the Montalvo Theatre in San Jose, California. The association will receive an additional $3,000 to assist its 2002- 03 Speakers Series.

• No Distribution Ltd., based in Halifax, will partner with Posiedon Sales Ltd. and What's Goin' On Publishing Ltd., of Sydney, to produce a monthly music magazine that will be distributed throughout Atlantic Canada. The project will receive $10,000 in support.

• Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council, based in Halifax, will receive $1,000 for the presentation of a one-day workshop on Successful Booth Design.

• Nova Scotia Native Women's Association, based in the Truro area, will receive $7,611 to conduct an assessment study of Nova Scotian native women artists and crafts persons on and off reserves.

• St. Ann's Bay Players of Baddeck will receive $1,926 to make arrangements to tour The Margaret in New Zealand.

• St. Francis Xavier Enterprise Development Centre in Antigonish will use its $5,000 for a series of six workshops for craft-based businesses in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The centre will receive an additional $2,000 to help launch the first Business of Music course at a university level in Nova Scotia.

• Stan Fisher Cultural Services of Kings County and No Distribution Ltd of Halifax will partner with Mark Custom Recording from Clarence, New York, to distribute a Brahms/Dvorak Classical CD, conducted by Acadia University's Stan Fisher. The project will receive $10,000 in support.

• Visual Arts Nova Scotia will receive $7,225 to reposition the magazine, Visual Arts News.