INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE FOR SASKATCHEWAN ARTISTS AT CULTURAL OLYMPIADS 2009 AND 2010

The Government of Saskatchewan today announced the finalization of an agreement with the Saskatchewan Arts Board to facilitate and manage Saskatchewan's artistic participation in the cultural festival component of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

In December, Saskatchewan signed a $1.5 million Contribution Agreement with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Under that agreement, $187,500 will be directed to Saskatchewan's participation in the 2009 and 2010 Cultural Olympiads. The Saskatchewan Arts Board will use that money and work with VANOC to support Saskatchewan artists to reach the stage in Vancouver.

"We are excited to be collaborating with the Saskatchewan Arts Board to showcase Saskatchewan artists and performers in Cultural Olympiads 2009 and 2010," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "This is the first time the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have hosted a Cultural Olympiad starting two years before the Games themselves. Through this venue, Saskatchewan artists will gain invaluable exposure on the international stage which, in turn, will expand opportunities at home and abroad."

For Cultural Olympiad 2009, a range of Saskatchewan artists, along with First Nations and Métis culture, were highlighted through an exhibition entitled Clearing a Path: An Exhibition of Traditional Indigenous Art that ran in partnership with the Talking Stick Festival. Participants included John and Vicki Arcand; Brad Bellegarde aka InfoRed; Scott Duffee; Floyd Favel; Jen Lane; Andrea Menard; Joseph Naytowhow; the group Wide Mouth Mason and others.

"The 2009 and 2010 Cultural Olympiads are exciting opportunities to highlight Saskatchewan's leadership, creativity and innovation in the arts," Saskatchewan Arts Board executive director Jeremy Morgan said. "Equally important is the stage they provide to celebrate our art and artists with Canada and the world."

The Government of Saskatchewan's goal is to use the Cultural Olympiads to showcase Saskatchewan's artistic talents and contributions in the fields of music, visual arts, theatre, new media, culinary, literary and the cultural industries. The calibre of Saskatchewan artists participating will profile the cultural and artistic vibrancy of Saskatchewan, and ensure Saskatchewan's cultural sector is recognized and featured as an integral part of the Canadian artistic, cultural, economic and social fabric.

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For more information, contact:

Art Jones
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Cell: 306-550-5927