Keddy announces new arts funding

South Shore-St. Margaret’s MP Gerald Keddy announced the funding at the Astor Theatre in Liverpool on July 18 on behalf of Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.

“Our Government is committed to arts and culture and to ensuring that all Canadians have direct access to artistic experiences,” stated Keddy.

The Atlantic Presenters Association received $55,000 towards “Contact East 2007.”

It will involve four days of formal showcase events, primarily music, dance and theatre, Contact Rooms where artists, agents and presenters can interact to discuss availability, venues and other performing arts issues, and a variety of workshops, clinics and round table discussions that are relevant to the industry’s affairs.

Other funding was discussed. In 2006, $50-million in additional funding went to the Canadian Council for the Arts. The budget for 2007 allowed $60-million to go towards art and heritage organization funding.

The Atlantic Fringe Festival Society received $13,000 for its 17th annual festival at the end of August. The Live Art Productions Society has been given $132,000 for the 2007-2008 dance season.

The Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association has received $47,000 in support of the Atlantic Books Today publication.

The Mocean Dance Society has been awarded $18,250 to help with a new interactive website.

The Federation of Novan Scotian Heritage was handed $48,500 for a data cleansing project.

Keddy said the Astor Theatre is a great venue to present such an announcement because Liverpool epitomizes small town rural Nova Scotia and the work people do to bring arts to the region, especially small communities.