Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, accompanied by Blake Richards, Member of Parliament (Wild Rose), today announced an investment by the Harper Government to support jobs and growth in the arts community of Southwestern Alberta. The announcement was made at The Banff Centre on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

“Our Government is proud to support The Banff Centre, which has established itself over the past eight decades as a globally respected arts, cultural, and educational institution,” said Baird. “Artists from around the world can come here to grow and flourish, and, ultimately, audiences benefit from that training.”

“Arts and culture organizations contribute to the cultural strength of our communities,” said Minister Moore. “We are proud to support organizations that not only enrich Canada’s cultural life but also strengthen its economy.”

“These Canada Arts Training funds will allow artists from across Canada to come to The Banff Centre to acquire new skills and to learn from leaders in their fields,” said Jeff Melanson, President of The Banff Centre. “Support from Canada Cultural Spaces will enable us to share the art and ideas born at The Banff Centre with the world. Ultimately, the arts help us express who we are as Canadians. This support from the Government of Canada will ensure Canadian voices are heard around the globe.”

The Government of Canada is providing total funding of $3,900,000 over two years, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, to The Banff Centre through the Canada Arts Training Fund. The Fund contributes to the development of Canadian creators and future cultural leaders of the Canadian arts sector by supporting the training of artists with high potential through institutions that offer training of the highest calibre.

The Government is also providing funding of $1,555,013 in 2012-2013 to The Banff Centre through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, which seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

Funding for The Banff Centre Foundation was also announced today through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations. The Government is providing $1,215,018 for The Banff Centre Foundation to manage and invest on behalf of The Banff Centre. This year, the Government of Canada is matching a dollar for every dollar donated by the private sector. Since 2001, this program has provided more than $156 million to various endowment funds in Canada, while the private sector has provided $217 million, for a total of over $373 million.

http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363619329670