The Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival is $95,000 richer courtesy of the federal Department of Canadian Heritage.
Festival organizers received the five-figure sum after applying to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund and with a letter of support from local member of Parliament Brent Rathgeber. Last year the festival received $91,325.
“When the government increases funding, it means they believe in what we do. We’re excited they believe in what we do and that our vision aligns with theirs,” said festival director Nancy Abrahamson.
Rathgeber, who wrote a letter of support for the initial application, believes the 150th anniversary celebrations of St. Albert played a factor in the outcome.
“Nancy and her folks do a great job,” Rathgeber said. “The festival has a reputation next to the farmers’ market as what St. Albert is known for. Its reputation is even higher than the Rainmaker Rodeo. Many of my colleagues have either attended it [or] have heard of it.”
The grant money will be placed in the festival’s general revenues as part of its $1.2-million budget. The festival, which takes place from May 31 to June 4, 2011, is funded through multi-level government grants, corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, donations and the City of St. Albert’s in-kind support.
Within the past week, rumours buzzed that the festival was bringing in Cirque du Soleil for its 30th anniversary next year.
“No, but we are working at getting a French-style cirque,” Abrahamson said. “That’s our tickler, our teaser and we’ll give more information at the media conference in March 2011.”
