Minister Frulla Announces Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2006
OTTAWA, November 23, 2005 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla today announced the names of the five communities that will be the Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2006. The following communities have been designated:- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
More than 125,000 population category -- maximum contribution: $2 million
- St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
50,000 to 125,000 population category -- maximum contribution: $750,000
- Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec
Less than 50,000 population category -- maximum contribution: $500,000
- District of West Vancouver, British Columbia
Less than 50,000 population category -- maximum contribution: $500,000
- Wikwemikong, Ontario
Less than 50,000 population category -- maximum contribution: $500,000
The winning municipalities and Aboriginal community will receive contributions from the Department of Canadian Heritage of up to $2 million, enabling them to undertake a range of cultural and artistic activities.
"The Government of Canada has made a commitment to give all Canadians access to the arts and culture, as well as to encourage creativity and excellence," said Minister Frulla. "The Cultural Capitals of Canada recognize and highlight the important role municipalities play in the arts and culture. They provide their residents with access to the arts and enable them to explore the rich diversity of our culture. At the same time, they give our artists an opportunity to demonstrate their talent."
Unanimously recommending the successful applicants to Minister Frulla was an independent advisory committee composed of the mayors of the Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2005. Experts in the field of arts and culture acted as advisors.
The Department of Canadian Heritage launched the Cultural Capitals of Canada program on May 31, 2002. The program is open to municipalities, First Nations governments, and Inuit and Métis communities.
The program highlights applicants' past achievements that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture. The funds enable recipient communities to hold special events that celebrate the arts and culture and to organize activities that create a legacy for the future and ensure that arts and cultural issues are integrated into municipal planning. Designations are awarded based on merit, the quality of the project proposal, and the applicants' earlier achievements.
The deadline to apply for a 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada designation is March 15, 2006.
Please visit the Canadian Heritage Web site at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room for backgrounders attached to this release. They summarize the projects of the successful applicants, indicate the maximum amount that can be awarded to each Cultural Capital, and include a complete list of this year's applicants.
Funding under 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
Jean-Guy Beaupré
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
FACT SHEET - 1
Cultural Capitals of Canada 2006
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Category: Population over 125,000
Maximum contribution: $2 million
With all the brilliance to be expected of a city with such a rich cultural heritage, Saskatoon will be sparkling for its 100th anniversary celebrations. Among the many projects scheduled are the Centennial Celebrations, which will include a humorous look backward at Saskatoon's history; a national symposium on Aboriginal performing arts; and a strategy for creating an arts and cultural district especially for cultural meetings and exchanges. With its residents' overflowing energy and great creativity, Saskatoon is truly the picture of a cultural capital.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Category: Population between 50,000 and 125,000
Maximum contribution: $750,000
St. John's is noted for its residents' pride in and commitment to the arts and culture. Important initiatives in 2006 will seek to attract as many people as possible to arts and cultural events in the area. Among the many projects planned is the expansion of the summer noontime concerts, an initiative that involves presenting concerts, stories, and theatre with free admission. The "St. John's, Cultural Gateway to the Province" project will promote the province's shows and cultural activities. The creation of cultural tourism infrastructure will provide a lasting legacy, bearing witness to the city's support for the arts, heritage, and cultural groups.
District of West Vancouver, British Columbia
Category: Population under 50,000
Maximum contribution: $500,000
The celebrations being planned will delight people of all ages and backgrounds, with activities designed to bring everyone together. This dynamic community will add new activities to its extensive cultural programming. The Symposium on Aboriginal Sculpture will provide mentorship opportunities for young Aboriginal artists so that they can preserve ancestral techniques and knowledge. Booktopia will expand its literary activities targeting young people. The summer festival will feature a world music component celebrating and recognizing the many professional artists from West Vancouver's various ethno-cultural groups. The activities will reflect the community, and everybody will be invited to take part. The programming recognizes that culture is essential for a dynamic society.
Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec
Category: Population under 50,000
Maximum contribution: $500,000
The town of Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce is well known for its entrepreneurship and famed as a centre of ceramic art. The theme "The History of Entrepreneurship," is an invitation to travel through time, following the development of the first craft businesses. An original initiative will allow veteran craftspersons from the best-known ceramics centre of the time, Céramique de Beauce, to pass on their know-how to high school art students by reproducing five collectors' pieces. In addition, a series of concerts, shows, and art exhibits will demonstrate that work can be combined with fun. The people of the town and surrounding areas and all Canadians will be invited to celebrate the growth of a region through its folk culture and its traditional crafts, which reflect the original form of artistic expression of our country's founders.
Wikwemikong, Ontario
Category: Population under 50,000
Maximum contribution: $500,000
The reserve of Wikwemikong, located on Manitoulin Island, is noted for the vitality of its culture and the quality of its traditional art. This community of 6,800 people will host many workshops for exploring the diversity of traditional arts, Aboriginal dance and lodge construction. Further, the cultural festival programming will be expanded so that visitors can learn about the traditions of other Aboriginal communities, including Inuit throat singing. Finally, visitors will be able to take part in a colourful fall fair, highlighting the farming heritage of this dynamic community. All the activities will encourage community members to learn more about their culture, their history and their language, and will cast light on the contribution of the Aboriginal community to Canada's history.
FACT SHEET - 2 -
Applicant communities -- Cultural Capitals of Canada 2006
Since 2003, the Cultural Capital of Canada designation has been awarded to individual municipalities or groups of communities with qualifying proposals. The proposals are for activities that seek to celebrate and build a lasting legacy for the arts and culture. Awards are divided into three categories based on population size.
Population Over 125,000
Calgary, Alberta
Laval, Quebec
Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Population 50,000 to 125,000
Strathcona County, Alberta
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Population Under 50,000
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
District of West Vancouver, British Columbia
Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec
Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador
Wikwemikong, Ontario
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