HALIFAX, Nov. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament (Central Nova), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the Dalhousie Art Gallery and Saint Mary's University Art Gallery.
"This investment by our Government shows our ongoing commitment to the economic growth of the cultural sector in our communities," said Minister MacKay. "We are pleased to support institutions that give the public greater access in their home communities to this exhibition featuring work by emerging and established First Nations artists."
The funding announced today will help the galleries at Dalhousie University and Saint Mary's University co-host the touring exhibition "Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop and Aboriginal Culture". The exhibition is organized and circulated by the Vancouver Art Gallery, based on an initiative of grunt gallery, and co-curated by Kathleen Ritter, Associate Curator (former) at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and Tania Willard, a Secwepemc artist, designer, and curator.
"Our Government recognizes the impact that arts and culture have on people's lives by bringing jobs and wealth to our communities," said Minister Glover. "Our love for our country's history, our official languages, our artists, our movies, our music, our sports, and our ability to enjoy shared cultural experiences—these are the things that unite us as a country."
"We are thankful for the support from the Department of Canadian Heritage," said Peter Dykhuis, Director/Curator of the Dalhousie Art Gallery. "Beat Nation is a substantial exhibition and, through the combined forces of our two galleries, we are able to be the only venue east of Montréal to host this exhibition, notably in the youth-oriented culture of two universities."
"We are honoured to be the only venues hosting the exhibition in Atlantic Canada, on Mi'kmaq territory," said Robin Metcalfe, Director/Curator of the Saint Mary's University Art Gallery. "By assisting with the costs of a key exhibition within a larger series, this support helps us to strengthen our engagement with contemporary Aboriginal art."
The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $30,000 to the Dalhousie Art Gallery ($15,000 for 2013-2014) and Saint Mary's University Art Gallery ($15,000 for 2013-2014) 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.
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SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
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Marisa Monnin
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Gilles Thériault
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Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
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Media Relations
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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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