The federal government reaffirmed its faith in and commitment to Alberta's arts and culture with a major funding announcement at the Art Gallery of Alberta Friday morning.
In total, funding worth more than $6.3 million was earmarked for 93 projects. The size of each grant ranged from $964 for the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra Association to $1,080,327 for the Banff Centre Foundation.
According to Rona Ambrose, MP for Edmonton-Spruce Grove and Minister of both Status of Women and Public Works and Government Services, it's all about putting money where the action is.
"It is about supporting our community arts and cultural groups across Alberta. They are major contributors to our economy. They create jobs and opportunities for thousands of talented, creative Albertans who entertain us and enrich our quality of life."
Her announcement, made on behalf of James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, made a strong point about how federal funding is needed for arts, heritage, cultural, and language-based groups to strengthen the economy, increase tourism and bring people together. She cited the City of St. Albert for its 150th anniversary celebrations that continue to achieve those exact purposes.
Ambrose added that arts and culture puts $46 billion into the Canadian economy and creates more than 630,000 jobs across Canada.
"Today's announcement demonstrates that we are serious about supporting organizations that not only enrich our cultural life, but also strengthen our economy. In fact, supporting Canadian Culture means supporting Canada's economy."
Apart from that, she continued, culture is what gives life extra meaning.
"I know that Edmonton prides itself [on being called] Festival City — and rightly so — but the truth is that there are scores of successful arts and cultural events put on across Alberta every year in communities large and small."
She ended that these remind us how fortunate we are "to live in the best province in the best country in the world."
The breakdown
Of the $6.3 million, local groups in St. Albert and Morinville received $304,000 from federal projects Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage, Canada Arts Presentation Fund and the Co-operation with the Community Sector Component of the Development of Official-Language Committee, including:
• the Morinville Centennial Committee received $74,400;
• the St. Albert 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee received $4,400 last year and $110,200 this year;
• the Arden Theatre Professional Series received $85,000; and
• the Société touristique de Centralta received $30,000.
No local groups benefited from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the Canada Cultural Investment Fund or the Museums Assistance Program at this announcement.
