CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN SASKATCHEWAN RECEIVE $1.5 MILLION FROM GOVERNMENT

The Government of Saskatchewan's vision for the arts, culture and heritage sector took another step forward today with the announcement of the Creative Industry Growth and Sustainability Program. The $1.5 million program was developed in consultation with the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

"My Government has identified quality of life as a major priority because economic growth attracts people, but it is quality of life that compels them to stay," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "By supporting the development of high-quality and commercially-viable cultural products, the Creative Industry Sector Organizations make significant contributions to quality of life and our growing economy. This program ensures their sustainability in these exciting new times."

The Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, in consultation with the Saskatchewan Arts Board, developed the program to increase the capacity of Creative Industry Sector Organizations to deliver programs and services that foster industry growth and development. One element of the program will be support for the promise to move the five Creative Industry Sector Organizations from the Lotteries to the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

The $1.5 million is part of the $4.5 million dollar arts and culture allocation in the 2008-09 Ministry budget.

"This is a welcome announcement for the arts and creative industries in Saskatchewan," Arts Board chair Ken Sagal said. "The Creative Industries Growth and Sustainability Program will bring a focus on commercial development while upholding our mission to create an environment where arts thrive for the benefit of everyone in Saskatchewan. The Arts Board looks forward to continuing its work with the sector to maximize benefits for the economy and the culture."

Creative industry sector organizations represent music, film and video, crafts and visual arts groups and publishing in Saskatchewan. The organizations include SaskMusic, Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association (SMPIA), Saskatchewan Publishers Group, Saskatchewan Craft Council and the Canadian Artists Representation/Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Aidan Morgan
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: aidan.morgan@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8635

Peter Sametz
Saskatchewan Arts Board
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4194
Email: sametz@artsboard.sk.ca