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
| Heather LeDuc
|
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 |
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.
