This evening, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced that 2024 will be known as the “Year of the Arts,” a celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich arts and cultural sector.
Premier Furey was joined by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, in making the announcement at The Rooms. Sharing in the news were key sector organizations, including ArtsNL, Music NL, Business and Arts NL, the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and more, all of whom will play an integral role in the success of the Year of the Arts.
The Year of the Arts will take a comprehensive approach to celebrating Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique and colourful arts community. It will include investments in cultural infrastructure, artistic creation and presentation, marquee events and recognition of the 75th anniversary of Confederation.
The Provincial Government’s vision for the Year of the Arts is for it to have a lasting impact on both artists and communities. To support that vision, work will begin toward commissioning a new artist-focused, mid-size theatre. This new theatre will provide a space to grow and enhance theatre in the province, providing creative spaces for use by the broader community. The next step in the process is to engage a planning professional to help determine the scope of the new facility, in close consultation with the theatre community.
Another key component of the Year of the Arts is a one-time funding program for artists to support the generation and presentation of new work, innovation in artists’ practices, and collaborative projects. Funding will begin in 2023 to maximize the number of projects that will be ready to share in 2024.
The Year of the Arts will feature public initiatives including events, festivals, music, and performances. There will also be a number of public art exhibitions and opportunities for participation and collaboration with the broader community. More details on the Year of the Arts, including event announcements, will take place in the months ahead.
Quotes
“Not unlike the puffin featured in our new Year of the Arts logo, Newfoundland and Labrador’s arts community is unique, colourful, and full of personality. Around the world, our province is seen as a hotspot of creativity and an exporter of incredibly talented artists and performers. The arts protect our traditions, celebrate them and pass them on to future generations, and that is something to celebrate! Much like Come Home Year 2022, the Year of the Arts will have a lasting legacy, sparking imaginations and lighting fires of creativity within artists in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“While attending the recent Arts and Letters Awards, I was once again impressed by the amount of talent on display, by creators of all ages, from all regions of the province. Art tells a story, whether it be through song or dance, visual art or the written word, through a performance or a documentary. As Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, I could not be more proud of this initiative and look forward to the incredible stories that will unfold.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“Having appropriate infrastructure to showcase the talent of our artistic community is important, and I am pleased that our government is addressing this need through a new theatre. I look forward to the next steps in the planning process, as we determine the scope of the project, in consultation with the arts community.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“The artists of Newfoundland and Labrador have always been proud ambassadors for the province. Our arts community, like our culture, has always played a part in drawing visitors to our shores. The Year of the Arts will not only celebrate the role of the arts in our province but will create a powerful legacy that will pay dividends for many years to come.”
Rick Mercer
Patron for the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador
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