Celebrating the opening of the Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop

CanNor investments important in the development and opening of new arts facility in Cape Dorset

CAPE DORSET, NU, Sept. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - For decades Cape Dorset has been one of the leading art capitals in Canada, with its talented artists the focus of national and international attention and awards. Now the community is getting a new cultural centre and print shop to match its reputation. The facility is named after Kenojuak Ashevak, one of the first and best known Cape Dorset artists whose artwork is displayed around the world.

Today the community celebrates the grand opening of the new facility which will house studio space, a permanent exhibition room, space for archival collections, a retail area, and office space. The Government of Canada has been a proud supporter of the new Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop facility, including CanNor, which provided an investment of over $240,000 toward the completion of the project.

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor.

This funding supports training and the completion of final work on the building. This investment will help promote Cape Dorset artists and grow Nunavut's arts and craft sector, worth an estimated $33 million annually. It will also keep Kenojuak Ashevak's legacy alive for the benefit of Inuit and visitors to the community.

Quotes

“The artists of Cape Dorset have been some of Nunavut’s greatest ambassadors, developing their art and sharing their culture not just with Canadians, but also with people around the world. I am proud of the support that the Government of Canada has been able to offer to develop the Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop into a world class studio and work space for the current and next generation of artists.”
-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor

"The Government of Canada, through CanNor, is one of our most valued public sector partners. Its support of the Kenojuak Cultural Centre was critical to the completion of the facility and brings long term benefit to the human resources capacity of the initiative. This contribution certainly enhances both the creative and economic potential of the Cape Dorset community."
-       Cape Dorset Mayor Timoon Toonoo

Quick facts

• CanNor invested $242,400 in the Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop with the Hamlet of Cape Dorset contributing $60,600 for total funding of $303,000.
• CanNor previously invested $344,016 to support a feasibility study and architectural design plans to help initiate the work on a new print shop. Since then Canadian Heritage and Infrastructure Canada, along with private businesses and donors, have also contributed to the creation of the Centre.

Associated links

CanNor invests in Cape Dorset arts community

Government of Canada Supports Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @ISED_CA

For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Nilani Logeswaran, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, Tel: [phone], Cell: 613-668-1794, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]; Craig Welsh, Communications Advisor, CanNor, Nunavut Region, 867-975-3722, [email protected]; John Hussey, Senior Administrative Office, Hamlet of Cape Dorset, 867-897-8943, [email protected]