The federal government has confirmed St. Alberta’s Arden Theatre will receive $170,000 in funding to attract high-calibre performing artists.
St. Albert MP Brent Rathgeber made the announcement at the theatre Tuesday, saying the money is part of the Canada Arts Presentation Fund and will be available to the Arden for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
“With its international reputation for excellence, the Arden Theatre can continue to attract some of the world’s most respected artists to supplement the many local musicians, actors, theatre, dance and school groups who perform here year round,” he said.
Kelly Jerrott, director of cultural services for the city, said the funds will enable the theatre to “continue to attract high-calibre performing artists. The longstanding commitment allows us to be innovative with our programming to ultimately attract and build new audiences.”
The grant is used to cover artist fees, Jerrott said. For the past four years the fund has renewed a one-year commitment of $85,000 per year. Jerrott added that, with a two-year commitment, the Arden’s professional programming presenter Casey Prescott is better able to plan events over a longer term.
Arden officials have budgeted to spend a total of $350,000 on artist costs, advertising, promotion fees, travel and hotel expenses in 2012.
