Government of Canada Helps Double the Amount Raised by Fundraising Campaigns of Four Arts Organizations in Manitoba
WINNIPEG, April 23, 2004 -- The Government of Canada helped double the amount of money raised from private donors through the fundraising campaigns of four Manitoba-based arts organizations. This announcement was made by Anita Neville, Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage.The Government of Canada will provide more than $917,000 to be divided between the foundations of four organizations, an amount matching the funds these Winnipeg arts bodies raised through their 2003-2004 fundraising campaigns. The groups receiving funding are: the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre.
"We are very impressed by the success of these four organizations, which have all greatly enriched the artistic and cultural life of our city, and have brought Winnipeg's cultural achievements to the world stage," said Ms. Neville. "At the same time, these arts bodies need stable funding in order to reach their goals. That is why I am so pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting these organizations, enabling them to find different revenue sources."
"Arts bodies like symphony orchestras, dance companies and theatre groups make an indispensable contribution to the vitality of our cities and towns," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "I am proud that the Government of Canada is working with these organizations and is providing their foundations with one dollar for every dollar raised during their 2003-2004 fundraising campaigns."
Canadian Heritage provides this financial support through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. Under this initiative, government funding is added to funds already raised. The initiative encourages private giving to the endowment funds of arts organizations, in order that these organizations may gain access to new and predictable sources of funds. This program was launched as part of the Tomorrow Starts Today arts funding initiative. The budget for this important undertaking, which was renewed in 2004-2005 for a fourth year, is now $207 million.
Funding for this project was provided for in the 2004 federal budget.
A backgrounder is available at the Internet address provided below.
Information:
Bill McDonald
Executive Assistant
Office of Anita Neville
(204) 983-1355
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Founded in 1939, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet is one of the jewels of our national arts community. In 1953, the Company received its royal title which was granted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Five years later, Arnold Spohr was appointed artistic director. Under his direction, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet grew and developed to take its place among the world's internationally renowned companies. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet began to tour Canada in 1945 and completed its first American tour in 1954. Today, the Company spends 20 or more weeks a year on the road, performing in centres large and small. The RWB, one of the few ballet companies in the world to tour with its own orchestra, has performed in more than 540 cities in 50 countries on six continents.
Manitoba Theatre Centre
In 1958, the Winnipeg Little Theatre and Theatre 77, amalgamated to form the Manitoba Theatre Centre. The resulting combination of institutional solidity and artistic zeal proved to be an ideal formula for an enduring community-based professional theatre. From its inception, MTC made efforts to represent its community by supporting diverse theatrical activities.
Stephen Schipper took over as artistic director in 1989. His seasons were centered on the latest Broadway and British successes. He also presented new plays by local writer Maureen Hunter and cast extensively from the local acting community. MTC presents its plays in two different venues, Main Stage and Warehouse theatres, and also offers Fringe Festival theatre, community theatre, touring and young audiences presentations. MTC reaches over 300,000 people each season.
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
Founded in 1972, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra is currently under the direction of its third Music Director and Conductor, maestro Roy Goodman. This smaller sized professional orchestra explores the section of the repertoire rarely touched by large symphony orchestras. Manitoba Chamber Orchestra has premiered over 60 new Canadian works for chamber orchestra in the last 16 years, including works of Manitoba composers. Because MCO premieres at least six new compositions each season, it was presented with the SOCAN Award of Merit for the imaginative programming of contemporary Canadian music.
MCO can be heard on numerous broadcasts of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Société Radio-Canada networks. Its recording career started with the release of Canadian Music for Chamber Orchestra, and has since produced four more compact discs. Among its touring projects, MCO visited Southern Italy in August 1999 and most recently British Columbia in the spring of 2003.
Winnipeg Jewish Theatre
The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, now in its 16th season, produces full seasons of plays on Jewish themes. WJT aims to retain Jewish culture in Winnipeg by promoting a greater understanding of the Jewish experience, past, present and future through its productions. One of the objectives of the WJT is to create theatre that presents aspects of the Canadian reality from a minority perspective. The play None Is Too Many by Jason Sherman, a co-production with the Manitoba Theatre Centre, reached an audience of well over 6000 people, and gained WJT recognition across Canada.
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