The Banff Centre has received $2,012,705 in federal government funding through The Endowment Matching Program of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund.
The Endowment Matching Program consists of $1.76 million, with the Canadian Arts Presentation Fund making up the difference with $250,000 over a two-year period.
MP Blake Richards was on hand at the Banff Centre, Wednesday (May 21) for the announcement, along with the Centre’s arts vice-president Carolyn Warren.
“It’s always a pleasure to have a chance to come to Banff and see the great things that are happening here, it really is a huge part of our community here; a huge part of our province and our country I would argue,” said Richards on the arts and culture impact the Banff Centre exudes.
“They’re doing great innovative projects and we’re really proud to be able to support them, particularly through the investment matching grant that encourages private sector donations and leverages even more funding.”
“What we’re doing increasingly with people like Daniel Lanois or Louise Lecavalier, who’s coming this summer, is we’re asking them to engage with the artists who are already on campus and part of our programs and residencies and for those artists it is the chance of a lifetime,” said Warren said on the hands on, practical education and mentorship opportunities with established artists The Banff Centre has become known for.
“We have our classical dancers involved in the classical program and have access to Louise Lecavalier for workshops – there are very few other places on the planet where this could possibly happen.”
Another example of the Canadian artists who will grace the Centre this summer will be Lanois recording with Garth Hudson. “We will have them in a studio environment and many of the people who work here will be learning audio engineering and will have access to that recording session. What a dream, because outside of studios in L.A., you would never have access to that kind of an experience,” Warren said.
In the last seven years, the Endowment Incentive component has provided over $132 million to endowment funds across the country.
