City Awards $75,000 in Arts Culture and Heritage Grants to 23 Groups

Fredericton, (March 24, 2009) - The City of Fredericton's Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants Program has awarded $75, 000 in grants to 23 non-profit groups in Fredericton.

The selected proposals range from musical projects like Atlantic Sinfonia's Classical Kids Club to multicultural events like the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick's Asian Film Festival.

 "The City of Fredericton is a proud supporter of arts and culture in our community through our annual grant program," said Councillor Dan Keenan, Chair of the City's Development Committee. "The groups selected to receive grants this year will not only provide residents with a series of arts, cultural and heritage events to enjoy but also add to our celebration as a 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada."

Of special interest in this year's grant recipients are those focused on the rich heritage of Fredericton North. The Fredericton North Heritage Association is planning a series of community events to instill an appreciation for the cultural heritage of the North Side, while the York-Sunbury Historical Society will be creating a permanent exhibit commemorating the Fredericton North community of St. Mary's Ferry, which was destroyed by fire in 1882 and again in 1893.

Other notable grant recipients include Atlantic Sinfonia's Classical Kids Club Series, which is designed to create a special atmosphere where children can learn more about classical music, orchestras and concerts.

"Hopefully, we're creating music lovers and perhaps nurturing future musicians by taking the mystery and formality out of a classical music performance," said Nancy Reid, coordinator of Atlantic Sinfonia. "Fredericton has such a rich cultural palate and the City's investment in programs like ours is so essential to our quality of life here."

Dance Fredericton has been awarded a grant to further develop its annual production of the Nutcracker Ballet, a major undertaking that will enrich the Fredericton dance community for years to come.

The grants were awarded through a jury process, based on set criteria.  Eligible organizations were invited to apply for assistance of up to $5,000 for multi-day festivals, major events or series in relation to the arts, culture or heritage, and up to $2,000 for other projects. 

The funding program is open to non-profit organizations, whose primary purpose is related to the arts, culture or heritage.  In addition to stimulating appreciation of the arts or heritage and improving financial stability, successful projects are expected to build community support, develop wider audiences or attract visitors, and contribute in terms of artistic, heritage, cultural achievement or skills development.

Following is a list of recipients for 2009:

• Asian Heritage Society of NB (Asian Film Festival), $1,500
• Atlantic Sinfonia (Classical Kids Club Series), $5,000
• Beaverbrook Art Gallery (Exhibition and Programs - Writing on the Wall), $2,000
• Celtic Discovery Performance Troupe NB (Celtic Energy Weekend), $2,000
• Dance Fredericton (The Nutcracker Ballet - Continued Growth & Development of Production), $5,000
• Fredericton Arts & Learning (Arts-based Workshop Series), $5,000
• Fredericton Arts Alliance (Artists-in-Residence Summer Series), $5,000
• Fredericton North Heritage Association (2009 Heritage Event Series, 5-7 events), $1,200
• Gallery Connexion (Artist Residency & Exhibition - José Luis Torres, Nomadic Landscape), $2,000
• Le Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne (Cultural Programming), $1,500
• Motion Ensemble (2009-2010 Season Concerts & Workshops), $2,500
• NB Country Showcase (Maritime Countryfest - Acadian Evening & Family Day), $5,000
• NB Crafts Council (Demonstration Series - Productive Hands), $5,000
• NB Filmmakers' Co-op (Silver Wave Film Festival), $4,500
• NB Highland Games Festival (Performance & Education/Awareness Celtic Culture), $1,800
• NB Summer Music Festival (Community Concert Series), $5,000
• NotaBle Acts Theatre Company (Bard in the Barracks Production of: A Midsummer Night's Dream), $2,000
• NotaBle Acts Theatre Company (Production of: Nomentacke by Mark Blagrave), $5,000
• Symphony NB (Music & Kids Community Performances), $4,000
• Theatre NB (Mainstage Production:  Tuesdays with Morrie), $2,000
• Theatre NB (Theatre School), $5,000
• UNB Centre for Musical Arts (Fredericton International TubaFest), $1,000
• York-Sunbury Historical Society (Exhibit: St. Mary's Ferry: Fire, Recovery and Renewal), $2,000

Media Contact: Angela Watson, Cultural Development Officer, City of Fredericton, (506) 460-2411.