Province Supports Development in Northern Region
Actors, artisans and musicians in Northern Nova Scotia are getting a boost from Nova Scotia's Department of Tourism and Culture. Five cultural organizations in the region have received funding through a new program that supports community and artistic development and industry growth.
Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald joined cultural community representatives to make the announcement at the Bauer Theatre in Antigonish today.
A total of $72,600 in support was distributed to groups throughout the province, with three organizations based in Cape Breton, two in Halifax Regional Municipality, five in northern Nova Scotia and three in southern Nova Scotia. Another five are provincial in scope.
The province's investment is being matched by the cultural organizations and additional project partners for an overall provincial impact of close to $600,000.
"I am impressed by the quality and range of projects receiving support from this latest call for applications," said Mr. MacDonald. "We're pleased to invest in these projects, which are contributing to cultural and economic development in communities throughout this province."
In the northern region, an $8,000 investment will assist Festival Antigonish conduct a summer instructional theatre arts program. Theatre Antigonish will receive $2,000 to conduct the 2002 Theatre Antigonish One-Act Play Festival, which draws amateur theatre groups from Amherst to Inverness.
Theatre Antigonish's Addy Doucette said she is pleased the province has recognized the work of these two organizations. The activities being supported will strengthen the presence and quality of community theatre in the region.
The Piobaireachd Society of Antigonish is also receiving $2,500 to conduct a series of workshops and recitals in this classical style of highland piping. The Lismore Wintertime Revue Committee is receiving $2,100 to produce the annual Lismore Wintertime Revue in the Merrigomish area, which will play for three nights in March.
In addition, the Cumberland County Black Artisans group is receiving $3,000 to support an African Nova Scotian resident artist, who is one of many partners involved in a multicultural project called Discover your Destiny. The program is designed to encourage and support personal development and employment skills through mentorship. Two interns are also receiving training as part of this program.
"The main focus of our program is youth, but our doors are open to every one," said Darlene Strong, co-ordinator and developer for the project. "In the past few months, we've had more than 500 people drop in to learn about art, music and literature and to develop their employability skills. This funding will help us keep the expertise on-site to work with students and adults within the community."
In the summer of 2001, the department announced a series of new programs for its Culture Division. Among these is the Cultural Activities Program, which provides support to community-level performances, festivals, workshops and cultural projects. Community organizations have four opportunities each year to apply for assistance, with the next deadline set for Feb. 15.