Minister Copps Announces Funding for the Confederation Centre of the Arts
CHARLOTTETOWN, August 25, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced funding of $568,298 for the Confederation Centre of the Arts to help finance a digitization project entitled Storytellers: Tales of a Nation.The goal of this project is to make the Confederation Centre for the Arts' important national collection available to all Canadians, in both official languages and at no cost, through the Internet.
"Storytellers: Tales of a Nation is a reflection of the richness of Canada's culture, and highlights the history of the people who helped build Canada," said Minister Copps. "This digitization project, which involves a unique Canadian collection, will enable all Canadians to discover the influence that our history has had on our values and our shared identity."
Storytellers: Tales of a Nation will include some 4050 works of art and writings from the collection of Robert Harris, the artist who painted the official portrait of the Fathers of Confederation. Canadians, especially young people, will have access to images and information on the career of one of the most important Canadian artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.
In addition, 400 lesson plans will be created and put on line for use by students from kindergarten age to high school.
The Minister also announced the designation of the Confederation Centre of the Arts as a Canadian National Historic Site. Built in 1964 in honour of the Fathers of Confederation, the Centre was designated a historic site because it is a rare example of a national institution dedicated to the visual and performing arts. This designation comes as the result of a recommendation by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
"National historic sites have a great deal of meaning for Canadians," added Minister Copps. "They allow visitors to discover the places that witnessed events that shaped our country. From this day forward, the Confederation Centre for the Arts is an important part of that collection of places that hold such symbolic importance for all of us."
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Partnerships Fund component of the Canadian Culture Online Program.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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