The Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Northern Lights Festival Boréal and the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals
SUDBURY, December 9, 2002 -- The Honourable Diane Marleau, Member of Parliament (Sudbury), on behalf Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, today announced funding of $30,000 for the Northern Lights Festival Boreal and $25,000 for the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Home and Away project.""Northern Lights Festival Boréal promotes bilingualism, as well as the Aboriginal and multicultural heritage of Northern Ontario. This festival is an example of artistic excellence that brings us together and makes us proud to be Canadian," said Ms. Marleau.
Northern Lights Festival Boréal is the longest continuously running Canadian multicultural folk music and arts festival. In 2003, the Festival will celebrate its 32nd season, the theme of which will be "Our Culture, Our Future." Featured artists will include The Be Good Tanyas, Matapat, and Carmen Campagne.
The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals will present the annual Folk Meet Showcase and Conference in Sudbury. In addition, funding for "Home and Away," will be used for Council officials to attend conferences and festivals across Canada. These opportunities will allow the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals to study best practices and to improve the services to member presenters.
Financial support is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage under the Arts Presentation Canada program. Arts Presentation Canada seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances and other artistic experiences provided by arts presenters.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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