Government of Canada Helps Living Prairie Museum and West End Cultural Centre Prepare for the Future
WINNIPEG, September 22, 2004 -- Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South Centre) Anita Neville, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla, today announced $84,500 in funding to help transform two Winnipeg arts and heritage institutions."The Living Prairie Museum and West End Cultural Centre are two gems in Canada's cultural crown," said Ms. Neville. "I am proud that the Government of Canada is helping these organizations improve their facilities so as to better serve the public."
"By investing in our country's arts and heritage infrastructure, we help ensure dynamic and culturally rich communities," said Minister Frulla. "Modern, stable, better-equipped facilities increase the ability of organizations to preserve and present our heritage, to display our vast array of cultural products, and to allow our artists to demonstrate their talent."
The Living Prairie Museum represents one of the few remaining examples of the tall grass prairie ecosystem in North America, and the West End Cultural Centre is Winnipeg's most distinctive live music venue.
The Living Prairie Museum will receive $34,500 to help finance the design and construction of a classroom as part of the existing Interpretive Centre.
The West End Cultural Centre will receive $50,000 to support the first phase of their renovation projects.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Cultural Spaces Canada program. This program supports cultural infrastructure projects that increase access for Canadians to visual, media, and performing arts and to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. Funding is also provided for the construction and renovation of arts and heritage facilities, for the purchase of specialized equipment and for feasibility studies and projects to transform buildings into arts and heritage facilities. This program is part of the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative, which has been renewed for a fourth year with $207 million in funding.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.
Information:
Donald Boulanger
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Bill McDonald
Executive Assistant
Office of Anita Neville
(204) 983-1355
Adrian Wortley
Communications
Canadian Heritage
(204) 983-7875
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