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Caption: Gwaandak Theatre managing artistic director Patti Flather, Minister Taylor, Canada Scene producer and executive director Heather Moore, Yukon Arts Centre chief executive officer Al Cushing and Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association executive director Charlene Alexander.
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WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon is supporting the territory’s participation in Canada Scene, a national arts festival to be held in Ottawa in the summer of 2017. Canada Scene is one of many events taking place across the country to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary.
“Canada Scene is a fantastic opportunity for our artists to showcase their work to national and international audiences,” Minister of Tourism and Culture Elaine Taylor said. “Large events such as this provide significant benefits to artists and promote Yukon as a cultural tourism destination.”
Similar to the 2013 Northern Scene festival that showcased artistic talents and culture from the North, Canada Scene is organized by the National Arts Centre and is a curated, professionally produced festival. All regions of Canada are invited to participate. The Yukon government’s contribution of $50,000 will support Yukon artists participating in the festival and will help cover travel costs, artist fees and promotional materials.
“Bringing Yukon artists to Canada’s capital for Northern Scene three years ago was richly rewarding and offered audiences a contemporary cultural snapshot of the North,” Canada Scene producer and executive director Heather Moore said. “Canada Scene will build upon this unforgettable experience and support our role as a truly national arts centre.”
Northern Scene included 78 events in more than 25 venues throughout Ottawa and Gatineau region, and presented a broad range of art forms including music of all types, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, literature, storytelling, film, food and fashion. Approximately 80 Yukon artists participated in Northern Scene.
“Northern Scene had ongoing impacts for Yukon artists including touring opportunities and artistic collaborations,” Taylor added. “With Canada Scene, we look forward to partnering with the National Arts Centre on another incredible opportunity to raise awareness of Yukon artists and inspire audiences to come to the territory to discover more of our unique culture.”
Learn more:
Canada Scene: http://nac-cna.ca/en/canadascene
Northern Scene: www.tc.gov.yk.ca/northern_scene.html
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Contact:
Michael Edwards
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7910
michael.edwards@gov.yk.ca
Lucie Wright
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-667-5318
lucie.wright@gov.yk.ca
