Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #08-179
July 22, 2008
Yukon Arts Organizations Receive Funding
WHITEHORSE – An increase in the Yukon Arts Funding Program means 21 organizations will share in $642,150, Minister of Tourism and Culture Elaine Taylor announced.
“This $178,660 increase in funding allows groups to consolidate their project and operating grants and expand their activities and outreach,” Taylor said. “The range of activities represented by these groups, which develop art forms and artists and provide strong programming for the public, contribute immensely to community life.”
Financial support through the Yukon Arts Funding Program also allows for groups to leverage funding from other levels of government and earn revenue generated by ticket sales, participation fees and fundraising.
The All-City Concert Band Society, which works with six community and school bands, is to receive a $30,000 operating grant this year. The funding will allow for administration of all events, tours and workshops, ensuring wide participation and opportunities for musicians.
“The All-City Concert Band Society is extremely pleased to receive operational funding from the Yukon Arts Funding Program,” said Society member Jody Woodland. “This core funding will go a long way to reducing the volunteer workload on our growing and complex programs.”
The fund is also going to support the Dawson City Music Festival, an extremely important event for Yukon, said Klondike MLA Steve Nordick.
“This festival is an iconic event that brings people from all walks of life together to enjoy the arts through music,” said Nordick.
“The Dawson City Music Festival is proud to receive public-sector support from all four levels of government,” added festival producer Tim Jones. “Arts funding is the best investment a jurisdiction can make, both in economic and spiritual terms; this important announcement helps ensure the continued sustainability of our tiny, perfect festival.”
Last year’s funding of $463,490 helped 18 arts groups and generated more than $2.6 million in expenditures, with combined fundraising and earned revenue totalling $1.4 million. Groups reported over 60,000 audience members and participants taking in 506 arts events which were supported by 1,156 volunteers working an estimated 31,000 hours.
The Yukon Arts Funding Program is a combination of Yukon government and Lotteries Yukon funding. Yukon Arts Funding Program applications are assessed through an arm’s-length process by the Yukon Arts Advisory Council.
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A list of 2008 fund recipients follows.
Contact:
| Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications 867-633-7961 matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca |
Alicia Debreceni Communications Officer, Tourism and Culture 867-667-5318 alicia.debreceni@gov.yk.ca |
2008/09 Yukon Arts Funding Program Allocations
|
Applicant |
Description |
$ Amount Allocated | |
| 1 | All-City Concert Band Society (ACCBS) | Provides practice, performance and educational opportunities for student and adult musicians in Whitehorse through six bands comprising 200 musicians. | $30,000 |
| 2 |
Alsek Music Festival | Three-day annual music festival in Haines Junction that promotes northern performers. | $11,000 |
| 3 |
Association franco-yukonnaise | A season of visual, literary and performing arts that includes presentations and a solstice festival to spread French culture throughout Yukon and Canada. | $15,000 |
| 4 | Breakdancing Yukon Society | Skill development, teaching and performing breakdancing in Yukon communities through workshops and tours. | $20,000 |
| 5 |
Dawson City Music Festival | Three-day annual music festival that showcases both northern and performers not from Yukon. Presents community concerts and events throughout the year. | $42,000 |
| 6 | Extremely Moving Youth Society | Dance training, performing and touring for youth, community and established dance artists. | $25,000 |
| 7 | Frostbite Music Society | Three-day annual winter music festival that showcases northern and acts from outside Yukon and occasional year-round music programming. | $32,000 |
| 8 | Guild Society | Produces a community theatre season (including co-productions), special events and maintains a multi-purpose arts facility. | $85,500 |
| 9 | Jazz Yukon | Presents Jazz on the Wing series and provides education and audience development services. | $22,000 |
| 10 | Junction Arts and Music Society (JAM) | Haines Junction based cultural society that organizes cultural events in the Kluane area. |
$23,500 |
| 11 | Longest Night Society | An annual concert of original music, theatre, storytelling and dance, development and showcasing of youth talent and community collaborations. | $20,000 |
| 12 | Nakai Theatre Ensemble | A professional theatre company that develops and presents original work in a theatre season that includes festivals and productions. Nakai also received special funding for strategic planning for this year. |
$85,000 |
| 13 | Northern Fibres Guild | Develops and promotes fibre arts and artists. Delivers annual Cranberry Fair. Equipment and library loans and rentals. | $2,500 |
| 14 | Northern Lights School of Dance | Provides training and showcasing opportunities for a wide range of dance techniques. Provides education and professional development opportunities for dancers and instructors. | $27,500 |
| 15 | Sour Brides Theatre | Sour Brides Theatre develops, produces and tours contemporary theatre. |
$16,000 |
| 16 | Village of Mayo | Annual Mayo Arts Festival where Mayo and regional craft producers and artists demonstrate and exhibit their work. | $6,150 |
| 17 | Community Choir of Whitehorse | Provides choral music experiences for audiences and choir members, supporting three choirs. Presents guest vocalists and conductors as well as special events such as tours and commissions. | $20,000 |
| 18 | Whitehorse Concerts |
Presents a classical music performing arts series and workshops. Promotes Yukon musicians. | $33,000 |
| 19 | Yukon Art Society |
Presents visual arts shows in gallery. Provides education and promotional programs for artists and delivers annual Arts In the Park program. | $45,000 |
| 20 | Yukon Film Society | Presents independent and alternative media arts to Yukon audiences. Promotes public appreciation of film and media arts through screenings, festivals and innovative media and art creation courses. Supports the production and distribution of works by Yukon media artists. The Society also received special funding to promote Yukon filmmakers for this year. | $43,000 |
| 21 | Yukon International Story Telling Festival | An annual three-day festival showcasing local and visiting storytelling as well as associated educational programs. | $38,000 |
| TOTAL | $642,150 |
The Dawson City Music Festival is one of the organizations to benefit from the Yukon Arts Funding Program. Members of the festival association, from left, Cholena Smart, Jonathan Howe and Tim Jones are seen here with Klondike MLA Steve Nordick.