BUILDING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM INVESTS $234,000 IN 20 ABOVE ARTS CENTRE

The Saskatoon arts community received some good news today with a $233,927 contribution from the province of Saskatchewan through the Building Communities Program towards the renovation of the city's 20 Above Arts Centre.

"It is important that artists are able to pursue viable careers in Saskatchewan," Labour Minister David Forbes said today in Saskatoon on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Sandra Morin. "The renovations to the 20 Above Arts Centre will provide increased access to creative and professional opportunities for emerging and experienced artists in and around Saskatoon."

The Arts Centre functions as a common space for AKA Gallery and PAVED Arts. The facility will house galleries, production facilities, an arts resource library, an artist residency space and a multipurpose area for screenings, lectures and performances.

"20 Above Arts Centre is supporting senior artists in the community while energizing emerging artists," PAVED Arts director Tim Dallett said. "With this investment from the province, we will continue to build opportunities for young artistic talent to stay in the province."

"We're so excited about this announcement," AKA Gallery programme coordinator Cindy Baker said. "It gives us the remaining puzzle pieces needed to complete the renovations to a centre that is poised to become a cultural landmark within Riversdale, the City of Saskatoon and the Province of Saskatchewan."

The Building Communities Program is providing $100 million for cultural and recreational infrastructure over three years, beginning in 2006-07. The program seeks to ensure the sustainability of cultural and recreational infrastructure in communities throughout the province. It is the largest per capita infrastructure program of its kind in Canada.

Information on the Building Communities Program can be found on the Culture, Youth and Recreation website at www.cyr.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Janet Peters
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4967
Email: jpeters@cyr.gov.sk.ca