Harper Government Encourages Private-Sector Donations by Matching Support to Winnipeg Arts Organizations

WINNIPEG, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - A variety of arts organizations in Winnipeg are benefiting from a boost to their fundraising efforts, thanks to the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. This was announced today by the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament (Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Thirteen local arts organizations are receiving this support through three endowment foundations: the Winnipeg Foundation, the Prairie Theatre Exchange Foundation Trust, and the Manitoba Theatre Centre Foundation.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important arts organizations," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these Winnipeg organizations, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"The Winnipeg Foundation has been a pillar of the community for over 90 years," said Minister Fletcher. "We are pleased to support organizations that create a lasting legacy for the citizens of Winnipeg and for all to enjoy."

"Since it was started in 2001, the Canadian Heritage Endowment Incentives initiative has had a tremendous impact on Winnipeg's arts community," said Richard Frost, CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation. "Every year, this public-private partnership produces hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from donors in support of local arts organizations that hold agency funds with the Winnipeg Foundation—and these organizations will reap the benefits from those gifts forever."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $1,246,408 to three endowment foundations in Winnipeg to manage and invest on behalf of 13 local arts organizations. Funding is provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.

This year, the Government of Canada is providing 81 cents for every dollar donated by the private sector. Since 2006, this program has provided more than $97 million to various endowment funds in Canada, while the private sector has provided $145 million, for a total of more than $242 million.

For more information, see the attached backgrounder.

BACKGROUNDER

Grants managed by the Winnipeg Foundation:
Contemporary Dancers Inc.	$865
National Theatre School of Canada	$40,929
Jazz Winnipeg Inc.	$9,669
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Inc.	$5,784
Manitoba Theatre for Young People	$1,136
Plug-In Inc.	$124,818
Prairie Theatre Exchange Inc.	$33,681
Royal Winnipeg Ballet (The)	$285,983
Sarasvati Dramatic Theatre Productions and Repertory Inc.	$3,547
Shakespeare In The Ruins Inc.	$2,344
Winnipeg Centennial Folk Festival	$35,742
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Inc.	$36,727
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre	$604,132
TOTAL FOR THE WINNIPEG FOUNDATION:	$1,185,357

Grant managed by the Prairie Theatre Exchange Foundation Trust:
Prairie Theatre Exchange Inc.	$44,850

Grant managed by the Manitoba Theatre Centre Foundation:
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre	$16,201

GRAND TOTAL

$1,246,408

 

(media only)
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)