Arts-based communuities benefit from increased funding

Manitoba continues to support the arts community with $400,000 in Urban Art Centres funding for 11 organizations. Left to Right: Columpa Bobb, Aboriginal Arts Program, Crystal Kolt, Flin Flon Arts Council, Josh Ruth, Art City, Culture, Heritage, Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino, Sheila Spence, Manitoba Printmakers Association and Steve Wilson Grafitti Art Program.

 

February 3, 2012

PROVINCE PROVIDES UP TO $400,000 TO ARTS-BASED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

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Funding Supports 11 Groups Providing Valuable Creative Programming: Marcelino

Manitoba continues to support valuable creative programming with over $400,000 in Urban Art Centres (UAC) funding for 11 community-based organizations delivering annual ongoing arts programming, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino announced today.
“Government supports accessibility to arts programs because it allows Manitobans to nurture their minds and bodies,” said Marcelino.  “We have championed the arts to help improve quality of life, enhance education, engage citizens in their personal development and enrich the cultural expression of our home communities."
The UAC program provides financial assistance to established, community-based, not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations for ongoing arts programs.  Support goes toward operating needs such as rent, lights, office supplies and salaries.
Organizations receiving funding for the first time include:

• Manitoba Printmakers Association, which offers a continuum of community programs at its Martha Street studio.  The Youth Outreach Printmaking Program, targeting cross-cultural participation from youth of diverse backgrounds, brings together inner city, suburban and Aboriginal participants.  It also offers the Inkubator program, which provides further mentorship and skills development for youth who want to practise printmaking.
• Flin Flon Arts Council, whichis a collaborator in the operations and administration of the NorVA Centre (Northern Visual Arts Centre) in Flin Flon.  The NorVA Centre is a multidimensional centre for the visual arts, boasting a gallery, studio space for members and community-based productions. 
• Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP), whichoperates the Aboriginal Art Mentorship and Apprenticeship program that delivers training and access to theatre arts, skills and confidence building, leadership skills, acting, storytelling, film, multi-media, writing, sculpture, photography and set design.  This program is recognized as a best practices model in the delivery of arts education to children, youth and young adults in Canada.  MTYP provides a safe, fun environment for skills development and mentorship.

The following eight organizations have received Urban Art Centres funding previously and will once again receive funds in 2012:

• Art City;
• Graffiti Art Programming;
• Ndinawemaaganag Endawaad (Ndinawe);
• West End Cultural Centre;
• Winnipeg International Children’s Festival Circus and Magic Partnership (Winnipeg);
• Winnipeg International Children’s Festival Circus and Magic Partnership (Northern);
• Gas Station Arts Centre; and
• Red Road Lodge.

“Through provincial programs and partnerships, Manitoba is supporting grassroots community revitalization and building vibrant and dynamic urban communities,” said Marcelino.
Urban Art Centres is a program of the Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative.

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