Government of Canada Supports International Earth Festival
VANCOUVER, November 15, 2005 -- Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Minister of State (Sport), and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Quadra), the Honourable Stephen Owen, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women, the Honourable Liza Frulla, today announced $150,000 in funding for the International Earth Festival.This event is the culmination of the Earth Project, a five-year initiative of the Judith Marcuse Project Society. During the Festival, fifteen companies from across Canada and around the globe will showcase dance, theatre, visual arts, video, and media arts. Local and visiting artists will also offer public workshops, panels and discussions. This Festival will take place in Vancouver in June 2006 during the World Urban Forum.
"Next June, the world will be coming to Vancouver to participate in the third World Urban Forum," said Minister Owen. "Hosting the International Earth Forum in Vancouver is an excellent opportunity for artists from across Canada and around the globe to showcase their works and to share their ideas with the international community."
"Next June, we will have an opportunity to enjoy the grande finale of an innovative project, organized by one of Canada's leading dance artists," said Minister Frulla. "Sustained projects like this one enable our performing artists to bring a world vision to their work, which ultimately enriches our culture."
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Arts Presentation Canada program. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentation of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences provided by arts presenters.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Jean-François Del Torchio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Renée Gillen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport)
(613) 954-1110
Jean-Guy Beaupré
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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