SURREY - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, has announced that the municipalities of Morden, Manitoba; Sackville, New Brunswick; and Surrey and Nanaimo, in British Columbia, have been designated the Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2008.
"These four cities recognize that arts and culture are important to making a community stronger by contributing to the economy and quality of life they offer their citizens," said Minister Oda. "Our Government is proud to work together with these highly dynamic partners. Not only will this distinction help encourage tourism in these cities, but it is my hope that it will bring them more private and public sector partnerships in order to benefit both the arts organizations and their audiences."
"Surrey has a diverse and talented arts community that reflects our rich, multicultural heritage," said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. "The Cultural Capitals grant will enable us to embark on many new and exciting initiatives, including Surrey's first ever multicultural festival -- Fusion 2008."
"The Town of Morden is honoured and excited to be named a 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada in the category of population under 50 000. This prestigious award will give us the opportunity to showcase the community's exceptionally talented people, as well as promote and invest more in our arts and culture. The fact that it will leave a positive legacy will be an added bonus for Morden," said Morden Mayor Doug Wilson.
"On behalf of the people of Nanaimo, in the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations people, it is a great honour for me to accept the designation of Cultural Capital of Canada in 2008." said Nanaimo Mayor Gary Korpan. "As a Cultural Capital, Nanaimo has a wonderful opportunity to Live Our Culture by celebrating our cultural diversity and showcasing our energetic, creative, and artistic people."
"We are ecstatic that Sackville has been chosen a 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada! To receive such a prestigious award is a great honour for our town. Our citizens are very proud of our long-standing reputation as a cultural leader in Atlantic Canada." said Sackville Mayor Jamie Smith. "2008 will be a special year in Sackville, and we look forward to welcoming one and all as we celebrate and build on this special designation."
The Cultural Capital of Canada designation is awarded for merit, as determined by the quality of a proposed project and earlier achievements of the candidate community that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture.
The funding provided helps ensure that special projects celebrating the arts and culture can take place. The amount varies according to the size of the municipality.
As a municipality with a population of more than 125 000, Surrey may be awarded up to $2 million.
As a municipality with a population of between 50 000 and 125 000, Nanaimo may be awarded up to $750,000.
As municipalities with populations of under 50 000, Morden and Sackville may be awarded up to $500,000 each.
An independent advisory committee evaluated the applications and unanimously recommended the communities to be designated to Minister Oda. The committee was composed of experts in fields of arts and culture.
All municipalities, as well as governments of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities can apply for this program. The application deadline for the 2010 Cultural Capitals of Canada designations is December 1, 2007. Applications for 2009 are now being evaluated.
For more information on the projects proposed by the 2008 Cultural Capitals, the funding they will obtain, and the other municipalities that applied, please see the attached fact sheets. Names of past Cultural Capitals can be found on the Department of Canadian Heritage website at www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index_e.cfm.
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