Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the value of arts funding, particularly the importance of arts funding that benefits the communities. As a small jurisdiction, we can be proud that we have a professional performing arts centre in the NWT. This fully equipped live performance theatre is located in Yellowknife, but the mandate of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre reaches to the NWT community. NACC is mandated to encourage the development of the performing arts from all cultural traditions in the entire Territories.

Mr. Speaker, NACC has existed more than 20 years. Its growth and development over that time was largely possible through volunteers and support from community groups and business sponsors. NACC’s board of directors and administration have taken their territorial mandate very seriously. For example, during their 2006-07 season, community outreach workshops and performances were hosted in six communities outside of Yellowknife. Now, this is a great start given the limited resources the arts centre has, but we all know that there are 33 communities in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that community audiences and artists are exposed to a variety of cultural and artistic events. Young artists need to be encouraged to develop. Not all of our young people are involved in sports. We have to provide opportunities for performances and inspiration for actors, dancers and musicians. We must admire NACC for expanding their Community Outreach Program despite an unchanged GNWT core funding of $30,000 a year since 1983. Over the past 24 years, no adjustments were made, not even to acknowledge the rising costs due to forced growth. NACC has submitted a detailed proposal to the Department of ECE asking for an increase of $50,000. This funding is essential to sustain and expand NACC’s territorial program. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, ECE did not respond favourably. Supporting community outreach for performing arts is obviously not a priority of this government.

Mr. Speaker, I make a plea for the value of the arts funding. Allowing the requested increase would mean an annual core funding of $80,000 for NACC, and this is still a very moderate amount of money for the value that we receive in return. The funding would allow the arts and culture to find expression in our communities and it would allow more communities to experience the importance of arts as audiences and performers. I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Adding funding to the long-established and well run Northern Arts and Cultural Centre would multiply its value because this minimal government spending would leverage many volunteer activities making these community events possible.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Marilyn Barnes, the Hay River member of the NACC board of directors, for drawing this situation to my attention and thank her for her tireless efforts in developing and supporting artistic and cultural events in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause