The Honourable Mark Eyking announces an investment in arts and culture in Cape Breton
SYDNEY, NS, March 5, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to supporting cultural and creative industries while addressing the unique needs of rural Canada.
The Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament (Sydney-Victoria), announced today that the Government of Canada is providing $500,000 in funding to the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation's project to create the new Cape Breton Centre for Arts, Culture and Innovation. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.
The support, provided by Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will allow the organization to continue the renovation of the former Holy Angels Convent and transform it into a multidisciplinary cultural centre.
The Government of Canada announced $5 million in funding in October 2017 for the renovation and repurposing of this heritage landmark. The adjacent former Holy Angels High School is now operational and at full capacity as an arts innovation hub.
Once completed, the Cape Breton Centre for Arts, Culture and Innovation will be a mixed-used facility intended to provide new, relevant and accessible arts and culture infrastructure for artists and audiences on Cape Breton Island and beyond.
Quotes
"Creative hubs like the Cape Breton Centre for Arts, Culture and Innovation provide collaborative gathering spaces in our communities. Our government believes that cultural infrastructure is also an important economic driver for rural communities. By supporting the renovation of this centre, we are making arts and culture more accessible to Cape Breton residents and visitors."
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
"Cape Breton has been a cultural hub for many years, with deep roots in Indigenous, Gaelic and Acadian cultures. Our government recognizes the unique needs of rural Canada, and through our Investing in Canada Plan, we support the economic growth of rural communities across the country. This investment will enhance access to arts and culture in Atlantic Canada, while creating job opportunities in our communities."
—The Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament (Sydney-Victoria)
"New Dawn is proud to partner with Canadian Heritage to repurpose this important historic building and to reimagine it as a centre for arts that will provide affordable work spaces to artists. The arts have always been a fundamental part of Cape Breton and will continue to be a driving force of our communities, identities and economies in the 21st century."
—Erika Shea, Vice-President, New Dawn Enterprises
Quick Facts
The New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation (NDCSI) is a not-for-profit-subsidiary of New Dawn Enterprises Ltd., the oldest community development corporation in Canada.
NDCSI was incorporated in 2013 as the entity to take over the development and management of the former Holy Angels High School and the former Holy Angels Convent in Sydney as an arts and innovation hub.
The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund plays a key role in improving physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentations or exhibitions. It is also designed to give Canadians better access to performing, visual and media arts, and to preserve collections and heritage displays.
The Cape Breton Miners Museum ($775,000) and the Savoy Theatre ($1 million) have also received funding for arts and culture projects in the past years from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
Associated Links
New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
For more information (media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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