Premier Robert Ghiz announced funding to kick-start the organization of the 2010 Festival of Small Halls during a visit to the Murray River Community Centre. Premier Ghiz made the announcement with Ray Brow, chair of Small Halls; Hon. Neil LeClair, Minister responsible for rural development; and Hon. Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning.
“The Festival of Small Halls has resonated strongly with Islanders,” said Premier Ghiz. “Islanders have a deep attachment to our rural communities and the local culture that is showcased during the Festival. We are pleased to support the 2010 Festival of Small Halls and we look forward to working with the new board of Small Halls to implement the vision being established in its strategic plan.”
Five staff will be hired to develop and market the 2010 Festival of Small Halls, which will be held June 11 - 20. The Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning is providing $88,900 through the Community Internship Program, a component of the Rural Action Plan. Small Halls is providing $10,000 toward the initiative.
“Small halls are the heart of our rural communities,” said Ray Brow, chair of Small Halls. “This festival showcases Island arts and culture, presented in collaboration with prominent national and international artists. I am pleased to see the important role that the Festival of Small Halls is taking as a driver of rural tourism and as a platform for the best of Island talent.”
“The Community Internship Program is designed to encourage employment and training opportunities for post-secondary graduates on Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Campbell. “Work experiences with employers, such as Small Halls, give local young people opportunities to develop their skills while revitalizing their community. We are pleased to be contributing to the Festival of Small Halls and to the development of rural PEI.”
“The Rural Action Plan is a government-wide effort to create opportunities in rural Prince Edward Island,” said Minister LeClair. “In addition to the benefits of supporting Island arts and culture, we view the Festival of Small Halls as an important vehicle to expand tourism in our rural regions – a stated goal of the Rural Action Plan. Support for the restructured and revitalized 2010 Festival of Small Halls will be a cornerstone in the development of a province-wide cultural festival, which will be fully developed in the coming years in collaboration with communities and the tourism industry.”
Support for the Community Internship Program is provided through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement. This investment is a component of PEI’s Rural Action Plan, 2010-2015. Through the Rural Action Plan, government is working with business people, communities and industry to strengthen the economy in rural communities across the Island.
In June 2008, the inaugural Festival of Small Halls was a celebration of music, art and dance across PEI, and showcased a stellar line up of Island and Atlantic Canadian performers with 49 shows in 16 small halls throughout the province.
During the summer of 2009, the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development funded a three-year business plan and strategy for the future development of the Festival.