Province Supports Development in Southern Region
Actors, artisans and musicians in Southern Nova Scotia are getting a boost from Nova Scotia's Department of Tourism and Culture. Three cultural organizations in the region have received funding through a new program that supports community and artistic development and industry growth.
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 southern region, an $8,000 investment will help to hire a one-year term development officer for the Bear River Community Craft and Recreation Facility Society. The development officer will create a long-term management plan, as well as oversee the renovation and leasing of two new studios.
"We're very pleased to receive this support. Our work has been recognized as an outstanding community economic development project," said Robbie Bayes, co-ordinator with the society. "With this funding we'll be able to continue building on the success of recent initiatives, including offering a full program of activities this year."
The South West Nova Scotia Music Festival will also receive $2,000 to conduct its second annual music festival. The festival attracts participants from Claire and Argyle as well as Digby and Yarmouth. Two Planks and A Passion Theatre Association will receive $3,000 to conduct a multi-disciplinary summer arts school. Four one-week programs of instruction will be offered -- one in dance, two in theatre and one in visual arts.
Other project investments totalling $18,000 are provincial in scope and include assistance for: the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage's long-term development plan; Theatre Nova Scotia's 2002 Robert Merritt Theatre Awards, which recognize achievements in both professional and amateur theatre with awards for acting, directing, play writing, design and stage management; the Teddy Bear Artist Guild of Nova Scotia's 2002 theme year exhibitions, workshops, a Web site and registry; Illustrating Words workshops by the Writer's Federation of Nova Scotia in Sydney, Antigonish, Bridgewater and Annapolis Royal; and redesign of the Web site for the Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council to better promote the work of its members.
"Redesigning our Web site will increase the quantity, quality and timeliness of the information we are able to provide to and about Nova Scotia's crafts community," said Susan Hanrahan of the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council. "Nova Scotian craftspeople will benefit through increased access to information about programs and services designed to benefit them and their businesses, and through having their work promoted to a global audience."
In the summer of 2001, Tourism and Culture 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.