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Artists get more help New funding available for throat singers, painters, photographers and more
Danielle Sachs
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, July 6, 2013
IQALUIT
More support for Nunavummiut artists was announced on July 5.
Arviat musician Abraham Eetak sings in Inuktitut after the funding announcement on July 5. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo
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In collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Nunavut is introducing more funding to help with travel costs for artists, starting with $50,000 this year, $75,000 for 2014-2015 and $100,000 for 2015-2016.
With this new funding, artists of all persuasions, from visual arts to throat singers, will be able to access travel and marketing aid.
On top of the $225,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, the department of Culture and Heritage added $100,000 to support music production initiatives.
By partnering with the GN, specifically the department of Economic Development and Transportation, Sylvie Gilbert, head of visual arts at the Canada Council for the Arts, said the partnership aims to streamline the application process for funding and make it more accessible to artists.
"We've committed ourselves to better understanding the difference in infrastructure and practises in the day-to-day reality of the North," said Gilbert.
With no roads linking Nunavut communities, travel costs can be a huge obstacle in professional development.
"It's estimated that there 3,000 people who earn some income from art sales and that visual arts alone contributes $33 million to Nunavut's economy," said Pauloosie Suvega, associate deputy minister Economic, Development and Transportation.
"This addresses many forms of artistic expression, including preforming arts. But this new funding is not just for actors and musicians. Authors and professional photographers among others can apply. It considers all types of creative expression," Suvega said.
The funding was announced in the middle of a busy arts season for Nunavut. The Alianait Arts Festival wrapped up July 1 and the Nunavut Art Festival runs until July 9.
"We are proud of our artists in Nunavut and we want to help them succeed," said Suvega.
"Art is part of the fabric that ties our territory together.
"Inuit have a strong artistic tradition. They carved, throat sang and played music because these things were valued. We want to work our hardest to ensure they are supported and with the Canada Council for the Arts, we are able to increase our support and help make these things available."
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