By David Kolbusz
Local arts organizations are elated to receive a 20-per-cent boost in this year’s funding.
This money is part of $125 million in new funds approved by Heritage Minister Sheila Copps earlier this month.
The Liberal government approved $25 million for this year and an additional $25 million in each of the next four years.
The Great Canadian Theatre Company and Opera Lyra received $19,600 and $15,600 respectively and can look forward to more funding over the next five years.
Stephane Dubois, public relations officer for the Canada Council for the Arts, says the new funding comes as a big surprise and is incredible news for Canadian artists.
However, the abruptness of the decision has forced the council to make some quick decisions.
“Because we didn’t expect this extra money, we’ve had little time to do things. To sufficiently review programs, we would need more time,” says Dubois.
Decisions as to how the rest of the money will be distributed have yet to be made.
GCTC administrator Jane Gardener says she’s thrilled about the extra funding and would like to spend it on training camps, activities and repairs.
But until the final budget is approved by regional and city councils, the money will be kept in reserve in case funding to the arts is further reduced.
“Anything can happen between now and April.” says Gardner.
“Because of the ice storm, trees have now become a bigger issue. It’s best to keep this money as a cushion for now.”
If funding is a concern for Gardner, her financial woes can be eased, in part, by the recent selling out of the GCTC’s latest play, The Attic, the Pearls and 3 Fine Girls.
This has helped the theatre company begin the new year with a bang.
Gerald Morris, communications manager for Opera Lyra is also happy about the extra funding.
“The money will go to the company and will definitely help us in our day-to-day operations. It’s going to go to sets, costumes, marketing, singers fees. . . anything to help us put on top-quality opera,” Morris says, adding: “Like many groups we’ll be lobbying against future cuts, but we’re braced for it. We’ll still be standing when the dust clears. You make do with less.”
Smaller Ottawa groups have also benefited from the funding.
The Independent Filmmakers’ Co-operative of Ottawa has received an extra $2,000 which Scott Galley, president of IFCO, says will go directly back to members, producers and filmmakers.
Galley admits that although $2,000 is not a lot of money, it will help ease the effects of dramatic cuts in past years.
“We were heavily funded by the government at first,” says Galley.
“But with cuts and all, we’ve survived because of our great volunteer system.
“This extra money is certainly a help and hopefully we’ll get more in the future.”
The Canada Council will also fund individual artists and projects that had been previously recommended for grants this year, but had not yet received anything.
Dubois says that selecting these people will take longer than usual because doing so is complicated.
“We had to look back at all of the people who had applied so as to verify if they were still alive or if they were still interested in doing the project.”
Dubois expects to announce who will receive extra funding in the near future.