Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Elmer MacFadyen today announced changes to the cultural funding programs provided by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. These changes will reduce overlap in a number of programs including the Cultural Development Program, the Acadian Cultural Development Program and the Council of the Arts grants to emerging and senior artists, and will hopefully provide for more flexibility in meeting community needs.
All of the changes in the existing programs stem from discussions held with the PEI Council of the Arts during consultations with organizations and individuals in the cultural sector. The changes being put forward will reinforce the commitment to the peer-review process in dealing with assistance for projects from individuals. "Our new cultural policy commits us to community involvement, and arms-length mechanisms in decision making," said Minister MacFadyen. "I am pleased that our relationship with the PEI Council of the Arts provides for such a mechanism."
Judy Bayliss, Executive Director of the PEI Council of the Arts, noted that the grants program assists with the council's mandate. "Our aim is to serve the Island's arts community. The changes in how the program is delivered will further assist us in achieving that goal." Funds managed and awarded by the Council of the Arts are also provided by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
Under the new program guidelines, all applications from individuals will now be received and approved by the Council of the Arts while applications from communities, organizations and cultural groups will be received and approved by the department.
The new program guidelines for the Cultural Development Program also recognize the increase in the number of heritage-based applications from communities and in the past some of these had to be turned down as they did not meet the same criteria as artistic projects.
In spite of these program changes there will be no reduction in the amount of funds provided for cultural grant programs. The application deadlines remain the same – April 30 and October 30 – with applications being reviewed following each deadline. A public information session to discuss the project application process is scheduled for April 7, at 7 p.m. at the Arts Guild in Charlottetown. Information will be provided in both English and French.
Last year, the department assisted with 91 projects across the province, for example, funding CD production, theatre, visual arts exhibitions and other cultural activities. The PEI Council of the Arts received funding from the department for a further 62 projects. In addition to project grants, the department will continue to provide funds for the Provincial Art Bank, the Poet Laureate program and core funding for selected cultural institutions.
Detailed program guidelines and applications for grants to individuals are now available from the PEI Council of the Arts. For applications to assist communities and organizations, contact the Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs at 368-4787.