SASKATCHEWAN’S CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AGENCY ANNOUNCED

$1M Transition Fund Available immediately for all Creative Industries

Today the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Kevin Doherty announced that legislation will be introduced this spring to establish Creative Saskatchewan - a new agency that will assist in bringing Saskatchewan’s creative talent to market.  A $1 million transition fund will support Saskatchewan projects until the new Creative Saskatchewan agency is launched later in 2013.

“Our creative industries contribute significantly to Saskatchewan’s strong quality of life through music, film, television, digital media, visual arts, crafts, writing and publishing, theatre and dance,” Doherty said. “It is essential that we position all creative industries to be part of the province’s plan for growth and increase the economic potential of the culture sector, positioning our province’s talent to tell our stories to the world.”

Developed through on-going creative industry consultation, Creative Saskatchewan will work collaboratively with sector organizations and will assist creative entrepreneurs with all aspects of bringing their products to market and, in the case of the film sector, also support production.  The government will invest $150,000 to assist in launching the new agency.
The Government of Saskatchewan will also continue its support of the Canada-Saskatchewan Production Studio (soundstage) and will encourage the creative industries to utilize this space as a creative hub.

“We applaud the vision of the Government of Saskatchewan for the establishment of Creative Saskatchewan,” SaskMusic CEO J.P. Ellson said.  “By centralizing the marketing of all our creative industries, we will now have the strength to compete on a global scale.  Saskatchewan has the best artists and we look forward to showing them to the world.”

“We are excited about the announcement of a new program that responds to the immediate needs of the film and television industry,” President of Cheshire Smile Productions Tim Tyler said.  “This timely support allows us to finalize funding details for our latest production, Space Stretch, a pre-school television series we are producing with CityTV.”

The Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport worked closely with the Saskatchewan Arts Board to provide $1M in transitional financial support to creative agencies during the establishment of the new Creative Saskatchewan.  These funds will be available from the Arts Board’s existing Flexible Loan Program which has been underutilized, historically.

“We have a wealth of talent in this province and we are pleased to be participating in the planning and provision of transitional funding to kick-start this important new initiative,” Arts Board Chair Byrna Barclay said. “Now our artists have the support they need to truly make a living doing what they love right here in Saskatchewan.”

For information or to apply for the new Creative Saskatchewan program, visit www.artsboard.sk.ca/grants/creative-industries or call 1-800-667-7526 beginning February 8.

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For more information, contact:

Jennifer Johnson
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0619
Email: jennifer.johnson@gov.sk.ca

David Kyle
Saskatchewan Arts Board
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4019
Email: dkyle@artsboard.sk.ca