FOR RELEASE
April 21, 2016

WHITEHORSE—The Yukon government is providing $9,400 to Yukon dancer Mellisa Murray through the Touring Artist Fund. The award will support her travel to Italy in July to participate in contemporary dance workshops and performances.

“The Government of Yukon is proud to support artists to tour their performances and creative works beyond our borders,” Minister of Tourism and Culture Elaine Taylor said. “The Touring Artist Fund provides Yukon artists with the means to access professional development opportunities by working, performing and learning with other national and international artists.”

Murray is a Whitehorse-based contemporary, jazz and hip-hop dancer and instructor. She will travel to Agropoli in southern Italy to participate in the sixth Dance Italia summer intensive. The performance and choreography program will include daily classes, studio workshops and a public event. Murray will rework and perform a solo piece she presented at the Brave New Works: Brief Encounters multidisciplinary performing arts show in Whitehorse last month.

“I am excited to be performing internationally, especially in Italy and immerse in their rich arts culture,” Murray said. “I will be able to showcase new works and share my love of dance with some of Italy's most well-known choreographers and performers."

Murray is the recipient of the winter intake of the Touring Artist Fund. Each year there are four application intakes; the next intake’s application deadline is June 15. The Yukon Arts Advisory Council judges funding applications.

Learn more: Touring Artist Fund or call 867-667-8789.

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Dan Macdonald
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
dan.macdonald@gov.yk.ca

Lucie Wright
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-667-5318
lucie.wright@gov.yk.ca