Millions Invested in Nova Scotia

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Millions Invested in Nova Scotia Cultural Organizations

The province is investing more than $2.6 million dollars in 53 of Nova Scotia's leading cultural organizations. The organizations include theatre companies, arts facilities, service organizations and music festivals.

Premier John Hamm and Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald made the announcement today, June 1, at Neptune Theatre in Halifax.

"Cultural organizations play a vital role in preserving and promoting the various cultures that help define who we are as a province," said Premier Hamm. "We are committed to investing in Nova Scotia culture, in turn strengthening the social fabric of our communities and enabling our economy to grow."

"All of the organizations receiving funding help to ensure that Nova Scotia's diverse culture scene remains alive and continues to develop," said Mr. MacDonald. "Supporting this sector helps us in our goal to build a more prosperous Nova Scotia, by contributing to our quality of life and well-being."

The funding comes from the department's Anchor Organizations Program, which provides operating funds to organizations, helping them to develop Nova Scotia's cultural community.

Neptune Theatre, a world-class live theatre venue in Halifax, received $255,000.

"Investment by the province helps make so many important things happen at Neptune," said Don Stoddard, vice-president Neptune Theatre. "Our objectives for cultural growth are closely aligned with the province. Support for anchor organizations like Neptune Theatre contributes to initiatives like the development of new works, opportunities for artists and community outreach."

Each successful applicant had to meet specific criteria, including proof of effective operations, the ability to generate their own resources and to offer programs that meet their mandate and the ability to deliver programs and services to the culture sector. With a total investment of $2,602,626 the organizations are expected to generate an estimated $29 million in economic activity during the year.

Organizations across the province are receiving support, with eight in Cape Breton, nine in Halifax region, 11 in southern Nova Scotia, eight in northern Nova Scotia, and 17 that are provincial in scope.

The business of culture in Nova Scotia has an estimated yearly value of $1.2 billion and creates more than 28,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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 is a list of the organizations and facilities receiving funding in 2004-05 through the Anchor Organizations Programs.

Cape Breton:
Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts $220,000 Conseil des Arts de Cheticamp $7,828 arts Cape Breton $9,328 Inverness Arts Council $10,000 Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design $65,000 Celtic Colours International Festival $125,000 Savoy Theatre $22,730 Strathspey Place $10,000

Total $469,886

Halifax Region:
Nations In a Circle $10,000 Nova Scotia Tattoo $153,300 Jazz East $11,000 Societe Grou Tyme Acadien $20,000 Creative Explorations (Buskers) $15,000 Neptune Theatre $255,000 Alderney Landing Theatre $10,000 Dalhousie Arts Centre $80,000 Scotia Festival - Music Room $10,000

Total $564,300

Northern Region:
Chedabucto Bay Folk Society $10,000 Anne Murray Centre $20,000 Guysborough, Pictou and Antigonish Arts Council $7,828 Northumberland Arts Council $2,228 Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia $77,000 Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre $5,000 Decoste Entertainment Centre $25,000

Total $147,056

Provincial:
Dance Nova Scotia $61,000 Writers Federation of Nova Scotia $61,000 Music Industry Association of N.S. $40,000 African Nova Scotian Music Association $10,000 Visual Arts Nova Scotia $61,000 Nova Scotia Choral Federation $61,000 Theatre Nova Scotia $61,000 Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia $142,000 Design in Business N.S. $25,000 The Antigonish Review $2,000 Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council $61,000 Atlantic Fringe Festival $5,000 Symphony Nova Scotia $398,000 Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association $2,000 Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia $61,000 Musique Royale $3,000 Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia $227,000

Total $1,281,000

Southern Region:
Ross Creek Centre for the Arts $30,000 Annapolis Regional Arts Council $10,000 Conseil des Arts de la Baie $6,828 Alliance of Kings' Artists $2,428 The Yarmouth Arts Regional Council $2,428 Societe Musique Saint-Bernard $2,000 Astor Theatre $12,000 Chester Theatre Council $23,200 Kings Theatre $18,500 Osprey Centre $10,000 Th'Yarc $23,000

Total $140,384