Arts groups receive funding for summer projects

More than $750,000 is being provided for 76 artistic projects in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In a Wednesday news release, Artsnl announced a total of $767,931 through the Professional Project Grants Program (PPGP) for projects involving dance, film, multidiscipline arts, music, theatre, visual arts and writing.

After the first round of applications, the program had more than 140 businesses looking for funding, said Artsnl executive director Reg Winsor.

“For the spring session, this grant program had a total of $1,538,283 requested from 144 applicants,” said Winsor. “The demand for grants from this program continues to be high, which is an indicator of the highly active professional arts and cultural sector in the province. The calibre of all the applications we received further demonstrates the abundance of professional arts and cultural talent in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

One of the projects getting funding is Christine Poker’s film, “The Legend of Tshakapesh.” To be filmed in Natuashish, the story focuses on an Innu hero who lost both his parents in a Katshituask (Innu for mastodon/ mammoth/elephant) attack.

Another project between Esmée Gilbert and Isabelle Riche will showcase new solo piano works played by Gilbert and written by Riche.

The funding comes from Artsnl’s annual contribution of $5 million from the provincial government to fund projects involving creation, production or professional development.

Businesses have the chance to apply for the grant two times a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

The next deadline for applications is Sept. 15 and applications can register at artsnl. smartsimple.ca/s_login.jsp.

A full list of grant recipients with brief project descriptions can be found online at nlac. ca/news/grant_ppgp.htm.