Symphony Nova Scotia Society's fundraising campaign income doubled by government of Canada
Halifax, April 24, 2004 -- The Government of Canada will double the income of the Symphony Nova Scotia Society's fundraising campaign with the private sector. The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Halifax West), announced this today, on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage.The Government of Canada will contribute almost $500,000 to the Symphony Nova Scotia Society, an amount equivalent to what the Society has collected this year. For several years, the Society has been able to raise an increasing amount of funding every year. Thanks to the support of the Foundation for Heritage and the Arts in Halifax and the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program, Symphony Nova Scotia will be able to balance its budget and achieve its artistic mission.
"We are all delighted with Symphony Nova Scotia's success," said Minister Regan. "The orchestra must have sustainable income so it can fulfil its artistic mission. This funding will allow the orchestra to consolidate and diversify its income. I am pleased that the Government of Canada is partnering with the Symphony Nova Scotia Society, an organization whose remarkable financial recovery is a great example of what can be accomplished."
"Artistic organizations contribute to the vitality of our communities and to Canadians' quality of life," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "I am proud that the Government of Canada supports Symphony Nova Scotia and that we are matching the amount collected through its 2004Ñ2005 fundraising campaign dollar for dollar. The Sustainability Program makes it possible to multiply private sector investment in arts."
Financial support is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage under the Endowment Incentives of its Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. The Program provides funding to be added to collected donations. Its goal is to encourage private sector donors to contribute to the endowment funds of artistic organizations, providing them with access to new and predictable funding sources. This program was created under the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative, which was renewed for a fourth year in 2004-2005, in the amount of $207 million.
Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.
Backgrounders are available at the website listed below.
Information:
Brian Underhill
Director of communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
(613) 992-3474
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER
Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program
On May 2, 2001, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program, whose goal is to encourage modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations. The Program comprises four components.
Endowment Incentives
This component is intended to encourage Canadians to donate to arts organizations. The Government of Canada provides arts organizations with funding equivalent to private donations made to their endowment funds.
Stabilization Projects
This component helps establish stabilization projects, within a specific geographic area, that are run by independent, non-profit organizations governed by representative boards of directors. Stabilization projects support arts and heritage organizations in their areas by offering technical expertise. Some also provide help in reducing deficits and building working capital reserves.
Capacity Building
This component helps individual arts and heritage organizations that do not have access to assistance from a Stabilization Project to improve their administrative, organizational, and financial structures.
Networking Initiatives
This component supports networking projects of national scope involving municipal cultural workers or stabilization projects across Canada.
For more information, please visit the Department of Canadian Heritage Web site at http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/pcapc-cahsp/index_e.cfm
Symphony Nova Scotia Society
Symphony Nova Scotia was founded in 1983.
Bernhard Gueller is the Symphony's current Music Director. He is assisted by Traditional Pops Series Conductor Howard Cable, Maritime Pops Series Conductor Scott Macmillan, and Baroque Series Principal Guest Conductor Jeanne Lamon.
The Symphony's mandate is to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Nova Scotia, and beyond, through high quality, professionally-performed orchestral music. Its repertoire ranges from baroque to classical and contemporary music. Every season, Symphony Nova Scotia gives approximately 65 performances, the majority of which are broadcast nationwide by the CBC.
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