ACI in Ottawa to tesify on federal culture cuts

The Association of Cultural Industries (ACI) was in Ottawa Wednesday March 4, 2009, by invitation of the Federal Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, to testify about the impact of last year's cancellation of PromArt and Trade Routes (export and touring programmes) has had on the cultural producers of Newfoundland Labrador.

These cuts, totalling about $20 million, and taking effect at the end of this month, all but eliminate support for artists and organizations trying to either export their work abroad through tours and shows, or to bring foreign buyers here to Canada. The Federal government cited inefficiencies in program administration and structure as reasons for cancellation, but has yet to show whether this money will be reallocated to agencies with proven track records, such as the Canada Council for the Arts.

In the Atlantic provinces, many organizations and individuals have taken advantage of this funding in the past, including the Atlantic Canada Film Festival and the ECMAs, who use about $60,000 to bring foreign buyers here for the benefit of our local musicians. Without this funding these programs face cancellation. Here in NL artists and groups such as Duane Andrews, Andy Jones, Alca Productions, Rattling Books, Duo Concertante, the St. John's International Women's Film Festival, and dancer Louise Moyes have all taken advantage of this funding to reach an international audience. For example, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador has used PromArt funding the in past to develop its exchange programme with groups in Tasmania, by touring productions there. According to Artistic Director Gaylene Buckle, this has resulted in tourism to the Gros Morne Theatre Festival quadrupling in the last two years.

The NL provincial government has kicked in $250,000 in 2009/10 to cover the funding gap these cancellations will create in the province.

ACI will also testify on the impact of the recent announcement of lines controversial lines in the current budget tabled by the Conservative government.