Saturday 12 June 2010

Yukon invests $668,000 in 23 arts organizations

RT @Northern_Clips: RT @YukonGovernment: #Yukon invests $668,000 in 23 arts organizations- full list here: http://ow.ly/1XI7c #art #artists

FOR RELEASE     #10-105
June 10, 2010

Yukon government invests in arts organizations

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon government is pleased to invest $668,000 in support of twenty-three organizations dedicated to the growth of literary, visual and performing arts in the territory.

"The Yukon government believes that strong arts programming promotes artistic growth, encourages community involvement, and contributes to the economic well-being of Yukon," Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor said. "By providing annual operating funds, we are supporting a wide array of festivals, exhibitions, performances, and other arts activities that animate our communities throughout the year, which also provide employment and build capacity in the cultural sector."

The Arts Operating Fund provides operational support for non-profit societies engaged in arts activities that have a territory-wide or high calibre impact. There are two components to the Fund: one provides operational support for ongoing and year round activities; the other supports ongoing annual projects. Applications are accepted once a year on February 15 and are adjudicated by the Yukon Arts Advisory Council.

With a mandate to develop and produce professional theatre with an emphasis on aboriginal artists and underrepresented voices, Gwaandak Theatre Society achieves the goals of the fund by prioritizing artists as the centre of operations; by involving communities outside of Whitehorse; and by focusing on First Nation access and involvement. The society's plans for 2010-11 include new theatre productions, playwright mentorship, and capacity building. 

"Gwaandak Theatre is thrilled with this core funding," said the society's co-artistic director Patti Flather. "It helps us to develop and present new works of theatre from First Nation and northern artists, offer challenging roles for theatre artists and engage audiences. Our upcoming play readings celebrating aboriginal playwrights and performers at the Old Fire Hall this summer are just one of several initiatives we're looking forward to sharing with Yukoners and visitors."

Statistics from the 2010 intake indicate the community impact of arts in Yukon: 732 events provided programming and entertainment to the 57,751 in attendance. These events were supported by 1,708 volunteers contributing 51,638 volunteer hours. Groups spent $976,301 on artistic expenses and $920,854 on production costs, with administration expenditures a relatively low $373,632. Support from the Yukon government helped arts organizations leverage $1,638,901 in earned revenue and fundraising.

For more information about arts funding visit www.tc.gov.yk.ca.


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See backgrounder and photo below.


Contact:  

Emily Younker
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
emily.younker@gov.yk.ca

 

Heather LeDuc
Communications, Tourism & Culture
867-667-5318
heather.leDuc@gov.yk.ca

 

 
List of Arts Operating Fund recipients for 2010-2011

Guild Society 

 $92,000

Nakai Theatre Ensemble 

 $66,000

Yukon Arts Society 

 $50,000

Yukon Film Society 

 $45,000

Dawson City Music Festival Association 

 $45,000

Whitehorse Concerts

  $35,000

Frostbite Music Society 

 $32,000

Yukon Bluegrass Music Society for the 2011 Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival and Music Camp 

 $30,000

Northern Lights School of Dance 

 $27,500

Junction Arts and Music Society (JAM) 

 $27,500

Breakdancing Yukon Society 

 $25,000

Community Choir of Whitehorse 

 $25,000

Extremely Moving Youth Society 

 $25,000

Jazz Yukon 

 $24,500

Gwaandak Theatre Society 

 $22,000

All-City Band Society 

 $20,000

Longest Night Society 

 $20,000

Blue Feather Music Society for the Blue Feather Music Festival 

 $15,500

Association franco-yukonnaise for the 2010-11 arts presentation season 

 $15,000

Rotary Club of Whitehorse for the Yukon Rotary Music Festival 

 $10,000

Skookum Jim Friendship Centre for the Folklore Show 

 $7,000

Village of Mayo for the Mayo Arts Festival 

 $5,000

Northern Fibres Guild 

 $4,000

Total

 $668,000

10-105
Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor attends a performance by the Gwandaak Theatre, an Arts Operating Fund recipient. Performer Winluck Wong, co-artistic directors Leonard Linklater and Patti Flather, and writer and performer Jude Wong stand with the minister for the photo.