Symphony Foundation Announces Major Government Funding
SYMPHONY NEW BRUNSWICK FOUNDATION INC.
PRESS RELEASE May 18,2016
Symphony New Brunswick Foundation Inc. has received a grant of $154,929 from the Government of Canada. The grant is the ninth received by the Foundation bringing the total investment by the Government of Canada to $968,000 since 2008.
The contribution is a matching grant based upon private sector donations raised by the Foundation during the calendar year ended last December 1st. Both the private donations and the government grant are held in a permanent endowment fund with income earned on these funds being contributed annually to Symphony New Brunswick’s operations.
“Cultural institutions play an essential role in Canadian society. Investment in arts and culture helps local economies grow; creates jobs for the middle class and stimulates tourism,” says the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support Symphony New Brunswick Foundation and New Brunswick’s vibrant arts scene through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund.”
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long says, “I am thrilled about the grant received by Symphony New Brunswick Foundation from the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage. Arts and culture are a huge part of the foundation of Saint John-Rothesay and, with this investment, Symphony New Brunswick can continue to plan and invest so that future generations can enjoy what the Symphony has to offer for all of New Brunswick. Where there are strong arts and culture communities, you will find strong and vibrant cities.”
“Our endowment fund has grown significantly since 2008 and is now making a very substantial annual grant to the Symphony,” says Reid Parker, president of both Symphony New Brunswick and the Foundation. “We are very grateful for this support from the Government of Canada.”
Jennifer Grant, General Manager of the Symphony says, “The increasing grants from the Foundation have enabled the Symphony to expand our operations to more communities while improving our artistic standard. We have gained a degree of financial self-sufficiency not enjoyed by many arts organizations of our size.”
Parker says that although he is pleased with the growth of the Foundation whose assets now exceed $2.3 million, further growth is essential to realize the Symphony’s long-term goals. “If we can continue to grow the size of the endowment, we can be assured of the Symphony’s security for many years to come. We look forward to more participation in this program and thank Minister Joly and her Department for this wonderful incentive.” Parker added that, although the growth of the Foundation is good news, the Symphony itself continues to need financial support from the communities it serves and urged patrons to continue to contribute directly to the Symphony and to subscribe to the 2016-2017 season, the details of which will be announced shortly.
Symphony New Brunswick Foundation Inc. is a registered charity based in Saint John, N.B. Although the Foundation and Symphony New Brunswick Inc. are independent organizations, the Foundation’s sole purpose is support of the programs of Symphony New Brunswick Inc.
Symphony New Brunswick Inc. operates the Province’s only full-scale, full season professional symphony orchestra as well as Camerata New Brunswick, a 20 member professional chamber orchestra. The Company also hosts the Saint John String Quartet and Ventus Machina of Moncton.
For more information about the Foundation and its activities, please contact:
Symphony New Brunswick Foundation Inc.
Brunswick Square, Level 3
32 King Street
Saint John, N.B.
E2L 4W3
Phone: 506-634-8379
Facebook: www.facebook.com/symphonynb
Twitter: @SymphonyNB
