The Ministry of Culture is directing more than two cents worth of time towards Alberta Culture Days.
It has allocated $375,000 in provincial government assistance to 66 community organizations across the province to celebrate Alberta Culture Days from September 27 to 29.
Both St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Society and the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society are recipients of up to $5,000 in financial support from the 2013 Celebration Site Grant.
The St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Society, benefactors for StArts Fest, will apply their funding towards covering costs for a marketing strategy.
“We are very pleased. As you know, we work on a tight budget and this makes a big difference in what we need to do. It frees up money from marketing to provide activities to St. Albert and surrounding areas and create a worthwhile experience,” says St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Society chair Peter Moloney.
He cites the society’s new piano project where three donated and artistically painted pianos will be showcased in different city venues for people to play.
“Without this money we would have had only one piano. Because we are confident we will get close to the full amount, we have three.”
On the other hand, Murray Knight, treasurer for the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society says their funding will be directed towards entertainment and workshops.
The Morinville society has invited the high profile Tommy Banks Trio for a full-on performance on Saturday, Sept. 28. And during the three-day festival the society is hosting an artist workshop to create miniature works of art that can be swapped with friends.
A proud Morinville resident for 32 years, Knight believes the town of nearly 8,000 needs more exposure to attract new families.
“Our community needs a higher profile. Artists and culture provides that profile and I think that’s very high on the agenda for our community.”
The St. Albert and Morinville non-profits were part of 61 host celebration sites that will present two days of free programming.
In addition, five feature celebration sites operating for three days will receive $20,000 each. They community sites are Brooks Public Library, Doors Open Calgary Association, Edmonton’ St. John’s Institute, Centre for Creative Arts Society of Grande Prairie and Red Deer Arts Council.
