Member of Parliament LaVar Payne Announces Support for the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

MEDICINE HAT, AB, Dec. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the City of Medicine Hat's Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.

"The Esplanade is an important part of the local community that celebrates our culture through music and dance, theatre, exhibitions, and much more," said Mr. Payne. "Our Government is proud to invest in the sustainability of local cultural institutions like this one because of the role they play in preserving and showcasing our shared heritage."

Funding will support the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in hosting the exhibit Canada's Waterscapes, which is being circulated by the Canadian Museum of Nature. This interactive travelling exhibit interprets the natural history of Canada's aquatic ecosystems and provides visitors with an increased understanding of ways to protect this important system. The Esplanade connects this exhibit to Medicine Hat's major local waterway, the South Saskatchewan River. The Centre is hosting the exhibit from September 16, 2013, to February 1, 2014.

"Our Government is committed to supporting cultural institutions to ensure that our heritage is protected, promoted, and enjoyed by Canadians," said Minister Glover. "Institutions like the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre not only help strengthen our collective identity, but also contribute to the economic vitality of Canada."

"We appreciate the contribution of the Department of Canadian Heritage to the exhibition of Canada's Waterscapes at our facility," said Robert Bruce Shepard, Museum Curator at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre. "This Canadian Museum of Nature production is an excellent introduction to the critical role water plays in supporting life. People who live in an arid region such as ours are very much aware of how dependent we are on this precious resource, and this exhibit helps everyone appreciate our roles in preserving it."

The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre opened its doors in celebration of Alberta's centennial in 2005. Since then, it has been proudly hosting a procession of artists and audiences from around the region and around the globe. The Centre is located on traditional Blackfoot territory, just steps from the South Saskatchewan River, and occupies an eminent position on downtown's First Street South. The Esplanade is home to an art gallery, museum, studio theatre, education suite, and 700-seat main stage theatre.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $7,500 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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For further information, please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Anna Gravelle
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504

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

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