DAUPHIN, MB, April 20, 2012 /CNW/ - New investments in arts and culture in the Dauphin region are helping boost the economy and create jobs and growth. Support for the Selo Ukraina Amphitheatre was announced today by Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament (Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
Funding will support the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum's goal of promoting and preserving Ukrainian culture and heritage. The organization will be able to build a new roof over the main stage of its Selo Ukraina amphitheatre, enhancing the facility and allowing it to increase its audiences.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of arts and culture, both in terms of building strong communities and contributing to the economy. Canada's arts and culture sector employs more than 630,000 people throughout the country and contributes more than 46 billion dollars to our gross domestic product.
"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in organizations such as the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum," said Minister Moore. "By investing in renovations to the Selo Ukraina amphitheatre, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."
"Thanks to this investment, high-quality performances can continue to be offered right here in Dauphin", said Mr. Sopuck. "This will boost tourism and have social and economic impacts for our community, our province and for all Canadians."
"A permanent roof will be a great addition to the main stage of the Selo Ukraina site and will immediately benefit our two local festivals, Canada's National Ukrainian Festival and Dauphin's Countryfest, and their audiences," said Jim Perchaluk, President, Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum. "This site improvement will also provide the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum with an opportunity to increase productions by adding new attractions which will benefit community audiences and the sustainability of our organization."
The Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum's mandate is to provide an environment for the awareness and preservation of Ukrainian heritage and culture through a self-sufficient community organization.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $151,700 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program 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.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Francine D. Lefebvre
Director Regional Communications Prairies and Northern Region Canadian Heritage
Tel.: 204-983-4367
Cell: 204-899-8611
[email protected]
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.)
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