Investing in the Arts in Yellowknife

YELLOWKNIFE, January 22, 2018

Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament (Northwest Territories), announced total funding of $727,000 to the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC), Folk on the Rocks (FOTR) and the Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife (ACFY). Mr. McLeod made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and was accompanied by Arif Virani, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Multiculturalism).

Funding is provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund which supports organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series, as well as organizations that offer support to arts presenters. This helps ensure that Canadians have access to a variety of professional artistic experiences in their communities.

Quotes

“Our government is proud to support organizations like these, which provide Canadians with high-quality artistic experiences in their communities. Through Creative Canada, the first-ever federal strategy to grow Canada’s creative industries, our government will continue to support our artists and creators in doing what they do best: telling our stories and bringing our culture to life.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“This funding will ensure that these organizations will continue to offer the valuable programming they’ve worked so hard to develop, while ensuring that Northerners continue to enjoy the benefits of their efforts, talents and success.”

—Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament (Northwest Territories)

“The Northern Arts and Cultural Centre has an incredibly supportive community, having established an outstanding record of artistic achievements over the past 33 years. The theatre collaborates with artists and arts organizations across the territory to help create a national stage for the performing arts, and acts as a catalyst for performance, creation and learning. The organization has always been at the front of youth and educational activities, offering artistic presentations, training and programs for youth and children. Thanks to the continued support of Canadian Heritage, we are able to have a renewed focus on growing local performing arts repertoire and nurturing talent by presenting, commissioning, creating and producing works from the North and around the world.”

—Marie Coderre, Executive and Artistic Director, Northern Arts & Cultural Centre

Quick Facts

• NACC encourages the development of the performing arts from all cultural traditions and provides a venue in the Northwest Territories for communities and professionally produced performances. Funding will be used to support their performing arts series as well as the Storytelling Festival. NACC is receiving $570,000 in funding ($190,000 per year over three years).
• ACFY is a multi-disciplinary arts presenting organization that serves the Franco-Ténois community in Yellowknife. AFCY offers artistic performances and cultural programming with a focus on attracting families and youth. Funding will be used to support its “Plein feux sur la scène nordique” performing arts series. The AFCY is receiving $120,000 ($30,000 per year over four years).
• FOTR advances the development of the performing arts in the Northwest Territories and promotes and supports Northern talent in music, art and entertainment. Funding will be used to support the 38^th edition of its annual music festival, as well outreach activities, school programming and off-season concerts. FOTR is receiving $37,000 in funding.

Associated Links

• Northern Arts & Cultural Centre
• Folk on the Rocks
• Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife (French only)
• Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Simon Ross
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

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