BUILDING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM INVESTS $834,136 IN SASKATCHEWAN NATIVE THEATRE COMPANY

Aboriginal performing artists in Saskatchewan will soon enjoy increased access to professional opportunities with an $834,136 Building Communities Program investment from the province of Saskatchewan. The funding will go to the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company for renovations at the Black Box Theatre in Saskatoon.

"It is important that artists in Saskatchewan are able to pursue viable careers," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company has enabled young performing artists from all over Saskatchewan to realize their dreams and work in a supportive and professional environment. The renovations to the Black Box Theatre will provide a permanent and stable venue for emerging and professional Aboriginal artists."

The Premier made the funding announcement in Saskatoon today. The renovations at the Black Box Theatre include an upgrade to health and safety standards, increased accessibility for the public, expanded seating capacity by nearly 100 per cent and specialized lighting and technical equipment for professional productions. The renovation is expected to raise the profile of Aboriginal performing arts in the province and broaden the scope of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company's operations.

The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company is the only Aboriginal-owned and operated professional theatre in Canada. Their mandate is to create, develop, produce and present innovative cultural and artistic experiences that develop and promote the richness and diversity of Aboriginal artists and cultures.

"Developing healthy and vibrant communities through the arts is the cornerstone of our work," Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company general manager Donna Heimbecker said. "To meet the increased demand for our programs and services major renovations and equipping of our existing facility is needed. This contribution moves us significantly closer to realizing our goal. It represents increased capacity to further our commitment to continue to provide programs and services such as our youth empowerment, professional theatre arts training and outreach initiatives as well as community and professional theatre productions."

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 cultural and recreational infrastructure program in Canada.

Information on the Building Communities Program can be found on the Culture, Youth and Recreation's 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