FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2009, St. John’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) has awarded $83,000 to 12 professional festivals from across the province through its Professional Festivals Program (PFP).
The program offers funding to professional festivals and not-for-profit organizations that operate festivals or series that run during a concentrated period of time. Applicants can apply for costs related to artist fees, technical costs, venue rental, administration costs, workshop sessions and travel expenses.
The PFP supports festivals representing all disciplines. Some of the festivals receiving funding this session include literary festivals such as the Winterset in Summer Festival in Eastport and the Writers at Woody Point Festival; music festivals including Gros Morne Summer Music and the Bluegrass and Old-Time Country Music Jamboree in Bay Roberts; and film, storytelling, and circus festivals such as The Nickel Independent Film Festival, the St. John’s Storytelling Festival, and the Kamataukatshuit Festival in Sheshatshiu.
“There are so many wonderful festivals that take place throughout the province,” says Reg Winsor, NLAC Executive Director. “This program meets their needs in a very focused way. It encourages a level of professionalism that is vital to growing the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
To be eligible for a grant, the festival or organization must remunerate performers and staff at accepted national rates of pay for services, and typically employ a paid administrator and/or an artistic director. Their primary mandate must be the development or promotion of the arts, and they must operate in a not-for-profit capacity or be registered as a not-for-profit organization in the province.
The maximum grant is $7,500 and the minimum grant is $1,000 (or the total amount requested if less than $1,000). Applications are reviewed by a multidisciplinary peer assessment committee.
The next deadline for the Professional Festivals Program is February 15, 2010.
Media enquiries:
Janet McDonald
Communications Officer
Phone: (709) 726-2212
Toll free: 1 (866) 726-2212 (NL only)
jmcdonald@nf.aibn.com
Professional Festivals Program
Grant Recipients 2009
Announced: April 15, 2009
Total awarded: $83,000
Total grants: 12
Winterset in Summer Literary Festival
Eastport
$7,500
August 6-9, 2009
This is a unique celebration of Newfoundland and Canadian writing held annually on the Eastport Peninsula. The 2009 Festival will highlight writings which focus on the 60th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador's entry into Confederation.
Kamataukatshuit Festival
Sheshatshiu
$7,500
August 11-17, 2009
This is the fifth annual circus festival with performances and workshops for all ages. It focuses on promoting artistic expression and experiences in the aboriginal community.
Cape Random Trust Sunday Series
Port Rexton
$4,000
June 28 - September 6, 2009
Held on Sundays at the site of the Random Passage film set, this is an 11 week series of traditional music by some of the province's best performers.
Gros Morne Summer Music
Corner Brook, Norris Point and Woody Point
$7,500
July 8 - August 19, 2009
This six-week multi genre music festival features top-notch artists from around the world.
Nickel Independent Film Festival
St. John's
$7,500
June 23-27, 2009
The Nickel Independent Film Festival is a five-day event showcasing a wide variety of independent films from Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world. This will be the 9th annual Festival.
The Cape St. Mary's Performance Series
Cape St. Mary’s
$4,000
June 13 - September 19, 2009
A series of music, storytelling, readings, sounds, and visual art presented at the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve Interpretation Centre.
Bluegrass and Old-Time Country Music Society, Old-Time Country Music Jamboree
Bay Roberts
$7,500
July 11-12, 2009
This two day event is the Society's 5th annual music festival featuring bluegrass and old-time country music concerts and workshops. The society aims to foster the awareness, development and growth of bluegrass and old-time country music in the province.
Writers at Woody Point Literary Festival
Woody Point
$7,500
August 12-16, 2009
This will mark the sixth annual Writers at Woody Point Literary Festival featuring readings and musical performances at the historic Woody Point Heritage Theatre in Bonne Bay. The Festival attracts writers from abroad along with those nurtured here at home.
St. John's Storytelling Festival
St. John's
$7,500
November 3-7, 2009
The St. John's Storytelling Festival is an annual event that brings together storytellers from across the province, Canada and beyond. It includes performances, workshops and professional development opportunities. This is the 6th annual Festival.
The World's End Theatre Festival
Seldom, Tilting, Joe Batt's Arm, Change Islands, and Fogo
$7,500
July 15 - August 9, 2009
This is the first annual multi-production theatre festival in the Fogo Island-Change Island area. This summer’s season will consist of the premiere of a new play by Rory Lambert; the original play Fighting Fire With Snow by Sharon King-Campbell; and a presentation of songs and recitations.
The March Hare
Corner Brook
$7,500
March 5-14, 2010
The March Hare is a celebration of words and music. This year will mark the 24th running of “The Hare". Shows will take place in Toronto, St. John's, Gander, and Corner Brook and will feature over 50 artists.
Festival 500 Sharing the Voices
St. John's
$7,500
July 5-12, 2009
Festival 500 Sharing the Voices is a celebrated international non-competitive festival of choral music. This heralded Festival and its accompanying academic symposium, The Phenomenon of Singing, bring together singers, conductors and scholars from countries and cultures worldwide. Here they participate in the very best of the world’s musical artistry and scholarship.
|
