Arts Fund supports community engagement

For Release #12-126
June 28, 2012

Whitehorse—Fourteen art organizations will share $149,845 through Yukon’s Arts Fund to help develop art appreciation and engagement.

“Celebrating Yukon’s unique and diverse cultures by engaging youth, First Nations and community residents in skills development and art appreciation is what the Arts Fund is all about,” Tourism and Culture Minister Mike Nixon said. “The groups supported with this recent round of funding show a high level of creativity and thoughtful expression reflective of Yukon’s commitment to grow art appreciation across all communities.”Northern Lights School of Dance is receiving $25,000 to participate and perform at the Dance and the Child International conference in Taipei, Taiwan.

“This event will allow us to integrate Yukon dancers and choreographers with Yukon-based composer Matthew Lien’s music and to share it with the rest of the world,” Northern Lights School of Dance coordinator Mary Ann Annable said. “The dance summit aims to acknowledge and nurture young people as creators, dancers, performers and spectators. They will perform, take part in workshops and connect with other dancers from around the world in ways that celebrate cultural heritage and encourage cross-cultural understandings.”

The Faro Arts and Recreation Association is receiving $7,500 for its project Through a Girl’s Lens, a photography camp taught by Vanessa Falle for girls aged 12 to 18, and organized by Girls’ Night Out.

“The girls will capture a variety of their own images, exploring the streets and landscapes around Whitehorse,” Girls’ Night Out coordinator Heather Grantham said. “Vanessa will take a portrait of each girl, and we will then explore issues around positive body image and self-esteem, celebrating each girl’s unique, beautiful perspective captured through their images.”

Photography skills development, mentorship opportunities and hosting a public gallery of the images captured by each of the girls will be included in the three-day camp.

The Arts Fund supports group projects that foster the creative development of the arts in Yukon and support the principles of the Yukon Arts Policy. Applications can include arts-related projects submitted by arts collectives, organizations, industry associations and all other eligible groups undertaking an activity related to the literary, visual or performing arts in Yukon.

Arts Fund applicants are encouraged to speak with the fund administrator before applying. For information visit the Arts Fund website (tc.gov.yk.ca/af.html) or contact the fund administrator at 867-667-3535 or 1-800-661-0408, extension 3535 or email artsfund@gov.yk.ca.

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See list of funding recipients and photo below.

Contact:

Elaine Schiman
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca

Heather LeDuc
Communications, Tourism & Culture
867-667-5318
heather.leduc@gov.yk.ca

—
Arts Fund – March 15, 2012 recipients

Northern Lights School of Dance
Participate and perform at Dance and the Child International in Taiwan
$25,000

Yukon Women in Music
Yukon community tour of concerts and workshops
$19,000

Extremely Moving Youth Society
Go Brinson Contemporary Dance Summer Intensive
$18,000

The Varietease Collective
Varietease: A Burlesque Cabaret
$14,000

Yukon En Plein Air collective
Yukon artists will paint en plein air at five Whitehorse locations
$12,000

Selkirk First Nation
Live Art Program – showcase Northern Tutchone crafts
$9,000

Association franco-yukonnaise
Cultural and Artistic Celebrations for St-Jean Baptiste Day in Whitehorse and Dawson
$8,000

Yarn Bomb Yukon
Knitting for History: Yarn Bombing the DC-3 plane owned by the Transportation Museum
$8,000

Faro Arts and Recreation Association
Weekend photography workshop for girls
$7,500

Community Choir of Whitehorse Society
Workshop and Performance in Dawson City
$7,000

Skookum Jim Friendship Centre
40th Annual Folklore Show, showcases Yukon and Canadian Aboriginal artists
$7,000

Friends of Dempster Country
Art Magic in Tombstone – artists and scientists share passion for wilderness
$6,500

Yukon Transportation Museum Society
70th Anniversary of ‘The Road’: N. Bauberger Exhibit, Talks, & Workshop
$5,000

Kluane Quilters Guild Sewing machine and hand applique workshop with international quilt artist
$3,845

TOTAL: $149,845

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