Grants program changes mean ‘end of professional touring’

By GARRET KINJERSKI , Edmonton Sun

Nineteen municipalities will no longer be eligible to apply for money under the Community Grants Program, says Liberal culture critic Laurie Blakeman.

But the government says there are other ways to apply for funding through Alberta Culture and the Municipal Affairs department.

‘End of touring’

“I think this will be the end of professional touring,” Blakeman said.

The Community Grants Program, which serves the arts in many rural communities, will no longer be an eligible subsidy for touring groups, theatres, musicians and other artists, Blakeman said.

The grant program was intended to spur cultural events outside of Alberta’s two major cities, she noted.

Even a small drop in a touring group’s budget may cripple the group from travelling or simply from putting on shows, said Blakeman.

Blakeman says the change will make it more difficult for smaller communities to book professional theatre, dance and music performers.

Affected communities

The communities include St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Airdrie, Athabasca, Valleyview, Okotoks, Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Fort Saskatchewan, Medicine Hat, Spruce Grove, Cochrane, Fox Creek, Grande Cache, Hanna, High River and Lacombe.

— With files fromThe Canadian Press

This article was published in the Edmonton Sun on May 11, 2010. Read the full article on the EdmontonSun.com website.