Residents of Victoria Benefit from Important Investments in Arts and Culture and Official Languages

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $2.6 million to 14 arts and culture and official-language organizations in Victoria

VICTORIA, June 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Dan Ruimy, Member of Parliament (Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge), today announced important investments in Victoria's arts and culture sector, as well as in official languages. Mr. Ruimy made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

The Government of Canada has provided a total of $2,614,657 through six programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This funding will support a wide range of activities and projects across Victoria, including local festivals, museum exhibitions, cultural infrastructure, support for and promotion of official languages, and intercultural engagement (see attached backgrounder for additional information).

Continued investments in arts and culture help build vibrant and connected communities, allowing our economy to grow, creating good jobs for the middle class, and giving more Canadians the opportunity to experience the performing arts. The government is also proud to provide funding to help support and enhance the vitality of the Francophone community in British Columbia.

Quotes

"Our government understands that by supporting community-based arts, culture and heritage activities, we are creating not only moments for shared experiences for Canadians, but also opportunities to celebrate our diverse culture, enrich our neighbourhoods, build cross-cultural understanding and take pride in where we live. We are also proud to provide funding to the Francophone community in British Columbia, which will support the vitality of our official languages in the province."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"These investments will promote engagement and inclusion, strengthen the importance of creativity in the local economy and reaffirm the value of the arts throughout our provincial capital. I am delighted that this funding will not only enhance the quality of life for Victorians, but also allow them to participate fully in the cultural life of our province."

—Dan Ruimy, Member of Parliament (Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge)

"Historic theatres, like Victoria's Royal Theatre, are beautiful and graceful. They need to be technically up to date to be assets in their modern communities. Only with the assistance of Canadian Heritage can we take the necessary leap forward to provide 21^st‑century technology in our 19^th-century-styled facility."

—Lloyd Fitzsimonds, Executive Director, Royal and McPherson Theatres

"In its very early days, Dance Victoria was encouraged by Canadian Heritage to think bigger—and to make the transition from project support to operating support by enhancing our programming. We have appreciated the foresight of Canadian Heritage in its objective to provide a multiplicity of professional artistic experiences to the Canadian public. Certainly Victoria is a richer, more vibrant community because of support like this."

—Stephen White, Executive Producer, Dance Victoria

"Financial support from Canadian Heritage is of vital importance to us and to Francophone community organizations across British Columbia. This funding has a positive long-term impact on the vitality and capacity of our community, allowing us to provide a range of services and activities for Francophones and Francophiles in the area."

—Pauline Gobeil, President, Board of Directors, Société francophone de Victoria

Quick Facts

The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program increases opportunities for local artists, artisans, heritage performers or specialists to be involved in their community through festivals, events and projects. It also allows groups to commemorate their local history and heritage.

The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series, as well as organizations that offer support to arts presenters. Through the Fund, Canadians have access to a variety of professional artistic experiences in their communities.

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. The fund supports the improvement, renovation and construction of arts and heritage facilities, as well as the acquisition of specialized equipment.

The Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Funding Program supports the socio-economic integration of individuals and communities and helps them contribute to building an integrated, socially cohesive society.

The Museums Assistance Program supports heritage institutions and workers in the preservation and presentation of heritage collections. The program fosters the preservation of Indigenous culture and facilitates access to heritage collections for all Canadians. It also promotes professional knowledge, skills and practices related to key museum functions.

The Official Languages Funding Programs promote French and English in Canadian society and encourage the development of minority Francophone and Anglophone communities.

Associated Links

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage	http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1455310870059/1455310944929
Canada Arts Presentation Fund	http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1452621893765
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund	http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1455203896312/1455204007503
Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Funding Program	http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1469471366741/1469565028706
Museums Assistance Program	http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1456325095980
Official Languages Funding Programs	http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1458588016752
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria	http://aggv.ca
Assemblée francophone des retraité(e)s et ainé(e)s de la Colombie-Britannique (French only)	http://www.afracb.ca
Belfry Theatre Society	http://www.belfry.bc.ca
Capital Regional District – Royal Theatre	http://www.rmts.bc.ca/royal-theatre
Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society	https://thecastle.ca
Dance Victoria Society	https://dancevictoria.com
India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria	http://www.iccavictoria.com
Maritime Museum of British Columbia	http://mmbc.bc.ca
Société francophone de Victoria	http://www.francocentre.com/a-propos/our-services
Société radio communautaire Victoria (French only)	http://www.cilsfm.ca
Theatre SKAM Association	http://www.skam.ca
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society	http://www.vircs.bc.ca
Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival	http://www.victoriafilmfestival.com
Victoria Symphony Society	https://victoriasymphony.ca

Data Tables – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Victoria	Victoria Symphony Society	Symphony in the Summer	$29,700
Victoria	India Canada Cultural Association of Victoria	8^th Annual Victoria India Mela	$4,700
		TOTAL:	$34,400

Data Tables – Canada Arts Presentation Fund

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Victoria	Belfry Theatre Society	SPARK Festival	$100,000
Victoria	Dance Victoria Society	Dance at the Royal Series, Dance Days Festival	$340,000
Victoria	Theatre SKAM Association	SKAMpede	$10,000
Victoria	Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival	Victoria Film Festival	$45,000
		TOTAL:	$495,000

Data Tables – Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Victoria	Art Gallery of Greater Victoria	AGGV Construction Document Project	$436,373
Victoria	Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society	Visitor Centre Renovation	$250,000
Victoria	Capital Regional District	Royal Theatre Upgrade	$400,000
		TOTAL:	$1,086,373

Data Tables – Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Funding Program

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Victoria	Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society	Youth Strides Summer Camp	$7,000
		TOTAL:	$7,000

Data Tables – Museums Assistance Program

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Victoria	Maritime Museum of British Columbia	S.S. Princess Sophia Travelling Exhibition	$190,884
		TOTAL:	$190,884

Data Tables – Official Languages Funding Programs

City	Name of Organization	Name of Activity	Amount
Victoria	Assemblée francophone des retraité(e)s et ainé(e)s de la Colombie-Britannique	2017–19 programming	$80,000
Victoria	Société francophone de Victoria	2017–22 programming	$550,000
Victoria	Société radio communautaire Victoria	2017–20 programming	$129,000
Victoria	Société francophone de Victoria	21^st Festival de la francophonie 2018	$32,000
Victoria	Société radio communautaire Victoria	Mon histoire francophone en Colombie-Britannique	$10,000
		TOTAL:	$801,000

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

(media only): Pierre-Olivier Herbert, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.pch.gc.ca