NLAC Labrador Cultural Travel Fund

Labrador Cultural Travel Fund promotes cultural exchange

May 11, 2009, St. John’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) has awarded 15 travel grants through the Labrador Cultural Travel Fund (LCTF) to support cultural exchange between Labrador and the island.

The LCTF provides travel assistance to residents of Labrador so they can participate in arts and heritage activities on the island. It also funds Labrador organizations so they can bring in resource people from the island to conduct seminars, workshops or similar events. Eligible activities may include: participating in arts festivals or competitions; attending arts or heritage fairs or workshops; receiving or being nominated for significant cultural awards; and participating in major arts performances or heritage presentations or conferences.

The LCTF is funded under the provincial government’s Northern Strategic Plan and is administered by the NLAC. It provides $100,000 a year in travel assistance and covers up to 90% of the total travel costs to a maximum of $1500 per individual applicant, and $5000 per group (of at least four individuals). The program operates on a six-month cycle; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until funds are depleted for a given granting session. Applications are evaluated by a peer assessment committee made up of two members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC).

This past granting session (October 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009) the LCTF awarded $33,567.18 to 15 applicants. Recipients included: Amos Lyall who traveled from North West River to attend the St. John’s Storytelling Festival; Festival 500 Labrador Region who brought members of the Newman Sound Men’s Choir from St. John’s to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to conduct voice workshops; and The Flummies who traveled from North West River to Corner Brook to attend the ECMAs (where they won Aboriginal Recording of the Year).