The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced funding of over $4 million available through the Special Assistance Fund and the Cultural Economic Development Program for Come Home Year. The announcement was made this weekend at the 71st Annual Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Conference and Trade Show in Corner Brook.
The Special Assistance Fund is administered by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, while the Cultural Economic Development Program is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.
An investment of $250,000 will support the newly created Municipal Come Home Year Celebration Grant for municipalities and Inuit community governments. Grants are intended to assist communities in preparing for Come Home Year celebrations. Grants of up to $2,000 will be provided for individual municipal applications and up to $2,500 will be available to each community for regional applications.
An additional investment of up to $3.8 million through the Cultural Economic Development Program will help cultural partners and communities develop and deliver activities and experiences in support of Come Home Year. Eligible activities will explore the theme of home, a concept that can have different meanings for different people – from a place of family, shelter, hope and safety to community, culture, landscape, memories, the past and future.
Some examples of what would be considered an eligible activity include new or enhanced cultural programming, infrastructure upgrades to existing facilities and spaces, and legacy projects that demonstrate a lasting impact on the province. This funding will also be provided to support Indigenous projects and activities that involve the safeguarding of traditions and culture.
The application process is now open for both programs. Applications are available on each department’s respective websites. Applications for the Municipal Come Home Year Celebration Grant will be accepted until December 6, 2021. Applications for the Cultural Economic Development Program will be accepted until January 31, 2022.
Quotes
“Come Home Year is about invigorating Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, here at home and living abroad, and inviting newcomers to visit and, in some cases, make Newfoundland and Labrador their permanent home. This initiative will rejuvenate the tourism and hospitality-based industry, as well as the cultural sector, which have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. COVID-19 has kept us separated and we’ve gone a long time without seeing family and friends who live away. It’s time to come together, it’s time to come home.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The new Municipal Come Home Year Celebration Grant can help municipalities and Inuit community governments eautify their communities or create initiatives that will encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have moved away to return and also entice new visitors to the province. I encourage communities, which are leaders in getting initiatives planned and bringing them to reality, to take advantage of the new grant.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
“Additional funding for the Cultural Economic Development Program is designed to support arts, heritage and community organizations in celebrating and promoting their cultural identity and enhancing cultural tourism through activities for visitors, residents, and those coming home after having been kept distant from family, friends and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These activities are intended to revitalize the cultural sector and maximize economic opportunities by offering a rich and varied selection of things to do and see across the province in 2022.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
-30-
Learn more
Municipal Come Home Year Celebration Grant
Cultural Economic Development Program
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @MPA_GovNL and @TCAR_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Lynn Robinson
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
709-729-5449, 691-9446
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca