OTTAWA, Ontario (CelebrityAccess) — Organizers for the Ottawa Bluesfest applauded Canada’s decision to increase funding to the nation’s art programs.
Earlier this week, Canada announced that the Canada Arts Presentation Fund budget will be increased by $16 million over two years, and the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program and the Celebration and Commemoration Program will be increased by $24 million over two years.
As well, the Canada Music Fund, which helps to subsidize Canadian musicians and music entrepreneurs, was also seeing its funding increased by $20 million over a two-year period.
“This is a good news story for Ottawa festivals and the artists and performers that develop and share their talents on our dynamic stages,” said Carole Anne Piccinin, Ottawa Festival Network (OFN) Executive Director. “This increased investment by the Federal Government in festivals and presenters will enable us to make more substantial positive impacts on the economy and our quality of life. It creates more opportunities to present inspiring experiences, increases job creation and enables more students to gain valuable work experience in our industry, and supports the prosperity of Ottawa’s residents.”
Along with direct art funding, Canada also doubled the budget of its investment into bolstering event security, with the Security Infrastructure Program’s budget doubled from $2 million per year to $4 million per year until 2021-22.
“In terms of safety, this is a very positive and important sign of support; one that we are sure our patrons and their families will appreciate,” says RBC Bluesfest Executive Director Mark Monahan. “It remains to be seen what the final breakdown of overall funding will be for respective organizations, but we are very encouraged and appreciative of the Federal Government’s leadership and support for our sector.”
Monahan added, “these new investments in the festival sector by the Canadian government will certainly result in even greater economic impact for our community and provide a substantial return on investment for all Canadians.”
