Government of Canada Invests in the Visual Arts Symposium of North Western New Brunswick

May 01, 2010

Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen recently presented a $17,000 grant on behalf of Heritage Canada towards the Northwest Visual Arts Symposium  which was held April 28 to May 3. The grant will be repeated next year for a total of $34,000. Left to right: MP Mike Allen, Louise Nowlan and Mario LaPointe, vice-president and president respectively of the Symposium's organizing committee. (Madeleine Leclerc photo)


GRAND FALLS, New Brunswick – On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Mike Allen, Member of Parliament (Tobique–Mactaquac), today announced funding for the 2010 and 2011 editions of the Visual Arts Symposium of North Western New Brunswick.

For over a decade, Grand Falls-area residents and visitors have savoured the creativity of visual artists from the region and beyond who display their work and share their talent as part of the Visual Arts Symposium of North Western New Brunswick. This year, the Symposium is taking place from April 28 to May 3, and features close to 80 professional artists from New Brunswick, Quebec, and the United States. Artists will also conduct awareness activities in area schools and hold painting workshops for the general public.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support this organization, which highlights remarkable artists from this area and further afield,” said Minister Moore. “The Visual Arts Symposium of North Western New Brunswick, a popular arts destination in this rural area, also contributes to the region’s economic growth and tourism industry.”

“This funding once again shows our Government’s commitment to ensuring that all Canadians have access to the arts,” said Mr. Allen. “I am delighted to announce support for this very popular and well-organized event, where top-quality artists share their work and talent with the community.”

“Thanks to the Government of Canada’s support, we can put on workshops, give courses and demonstrations, and hold exhibits in our community,” said Danielle Bergeron, Founder and Director General of the Visual Arts Symposium of North Western New Brunswick. “And, as a result of this support, we can carry out developmental activities for children, seniors, people with special needs, and emerging artists from our rural area.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $34,000 over two years ($17, 000 for each of the 2010 and 2011 festivals) through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.