Calgary City Council approved its 2008 budget last week and we are pleased to announce that $300,000 in new funding will be available to Calgary festivals through a special Calgary Arts Development grant program.
This new support will be available to Calgary's arts festivals to build public awareness and encourage audience development. Strengthening the overall reputation of Calgary as a home for dynamic year-round arts festivals and building participation in our arts festivals from Calgary's diverse communities will be key focus areas for the funding.
"Festivals are a very accessible way for Calgarians to experience the arts. With this new funding Council is affirming its support for the important role of arts and culture in Calgary's quality of life," said Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development.
Calgary Arts Development will develop the criteria and guidelines for this new program in consultation a working group of community experts. The guidelines and application for the new festivals funding will be available to the community early in 2008.
Many Calgary festivals participated in Calgary Arts Development's research project on festivals. Please watch for the release of our research report on Calgary festivals later this week on www.calgaryartsdevelopment.com .
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GRANTING PROGRAMS CONTACT
Karen Ball
Director of Community Investment
Calgary Arts Development
Phone: 403.264.5330 extension 103
E-mail: karen.ball@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
MEDIA REQUESTS
Erica Mattson
Director of Marketing & Communications
Calgary Arts Development
Phone: 403.264.5330 extension 106
Mobile: 403.978.2787
E-mail: erica.mattson@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
ABOUT CALGARY ARTS DEVELOPMENT
As the city's designated arts development authority, we are a central hub that learns about, promotes, connects, advocates for, and leads strategic initiatives in the arts to animate Calgary as a vibrant cultural centre. Calgary Arts Development allocates municipal funding for the arts provided by the City of Calgary through granting programs that provide support for over 140 artists and arts organizations in Calgary. Visit www.calgaryartsdevelopment.com for more information on our initiatives and activities.