Latest news with #PrairiesCan
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minister Duguid announces federal investments to grow the performing arts sector in Alberta
PrairiesCan funding of more than $8.3 million will support the sustainability and vibrancy of performing arts organizations in Edmonton and Calgary EDMONTON, AB, March 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Performing arts organizations across the Prairies collectively possess the economic and cultural power to enrich communities, draw visitors and tourists, generate jobs, and drive economic activity. The Government of Canada is investing in the continued sustainability and vibrancy of the performing arts in Prairie communities. Today, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of over $8.3 million to enable 13 performing arts organizations in Alberta to grow, diversify their revenues, and engage audiences in new and exciting ways. From the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton to the Calgary Philharmonic Society, today's investments will enable some of Alberta's leading performing arts organizations to implement new audience development and engagement strategies, enhance their reach and visitor experience, and increase awareness of their brand. In total, today's investments are expected to support over 75 jobs and will strengthen the long-term economic resiliency of arts organizations by helping them to innovate and enhance their offerings. This announcement reflects the principles of the Government of Canada's Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, a long-term commitment to work collaboratively with partners across the Prairies on their priorities to seize new possibilities for good-paying jobs in a globally competitive economy. Quotes "The performing arts are at the heart of Alberta's cultural landscape. More than just a source of entertainment, they bring people together, spark creativity, and drive economic growth while creating good jobs along the way. Our government is proud to invest in Alberta's performing arts organizations, helping them grow, innovate, and inspire audiences."–The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan "Performing arts organizations across the country drive the local economy. I'm happy to see this kind of funding reaching our region, ensuring arts organizations here receive the same support as those across the country. This announcement recognizes the economic impact of arts organizations in our communities—and that's good business for everyone."–The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre Quick facts The Prairie Performing Arts Initiative (PPAI) is part of Canada's Budget 2024 commitment to create vibrant and inclusive communities. PPAI provides $20 million in one-time support over three years (2024/25 to 2026/27). This initiative provides non-repayable contributions directly to eligible professional performing arts organizations to support projects that contribute to the financial sustainability and growth of the performing arts sector across the Prairies. Budget 2024 also provided $31 million over two years to the Canadian Arts Presentation Fund delivered by Canadian Heritage to support organizations that present arts. Backgrounder PrairiesCan is investing $8,356,420 in non-repayable funding for 13 projects in Alberta through the Prairie Performing Arts Initiative (PPAI). Through PPAI, PrairiesCan investments support local performing arts organizations as they re-engage and attract audiences and diversify their revenue. Funding will support the long-term economic resiliency of arts organizations by helping them innovate their current practices and enhance their offerings. Edmonton Ballet Edmonton Society ($587,831)Create a digital portfolio to enhance visual storytelling and attract new audiences. The Citadel Theatre ($750,000)Implement a multifaceted business strategy to grow audience base, diversify revenue streams, and enhance theatre experiences. Edmonton Opera Association ($682,550)Improve sustainability and audience growth using innovative digital tools and branding strategies. Edmonton Symphony Society ($750,000)Diversify revenue streams, engage new audiences, and enhance business operations through digital content, research, and development. Theatre Network Society ($170,000)Build a comprehensive rental space and program to diversify revenue. Calgary Alberta Ballet Company ($750,000)Implement a marketing strategy to increase visibility and audience engagement within Alberta's vibrant ballet scene. The Alberta Theatre Projects Society ($750,000)Create and implement fundraising and marketing strategies to re-engage patrons and attract new audiences. Calgary Opera Association ($750,000)Implement marketing and audience development strategies to increase revenue and diversify audiences. Calgary Philharmonic Society ($750,000)Implement a new audience development strategy to increase revenue and audience growth to enhance the orchestra's reach. Decidedly Jazz Society ($484,853)Develop and implement a digital marketing strategy to attract new audiences and improve operations. One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Association ($539,000)Develop a fund development and marketing plan to increase revenue and audience base. Theatre Calgary ($750,000)Enhance business development practices, execute marketing campaigns, and implement engagement tools to grow audience base. Vertigo Theatre Society ($642,186)Establish a fund development department in support of its revenue diversification efforts. Associated links Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) Prairies Performing Arts Initiative (PPAI) Stay connectedFollow PrairiesCan on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedInToll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378 TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388 SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada View original content to download multimedia:
CBC
28-01-2025
- Health
- CBC
VIDO funded $24M to help develop 'holy grail' coronavirus vaccine
Social Sharing The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan has been awarded a $24 million grant to help develop a vaccine to protect against wide-ranging strains of coronaviruses. VIDO's funding flows from Norwegian-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) into its ongoing development of its pan-sarbecovirus vaccine. Dr. Nicole Lurie, Executive Director of Emergency Preparedness at CEPI, said the vaccine is designed by combining fragments of several different coronaviruses into a single vaccine. VIDO's goal is to develop a vaccine that would improve a person's resistance to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that led to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as future coronaviruses, limiting how much resources are spent on new vaccines to match different strains of the virus. Lurie referred to it as a sort of "holy grail." "By acting now, we can try to get ahead of coronavirus and their variants before they evolve to get ahead of us. Our goal is to be sure that the world is never again hit by a coronavirus pandemic," said Lurie. Dr. Volker Gerdts, the director and CEO of VIDO said it's possible to use different tools — artificial intelligence, bioinformatics — to predict what the next virus pathogen will look like and prepare vaccines to combat them. "It's all about predicting what is coming in the future and being ready for it," said Gerdts. "As we just learned during the pandemic, Canada was not quite ready for it this time. So let's make sure that next time we're better prepared." VIDO's vaccine is also anticipated to be thermostable, meaning it won't need to be in a temperature-controlled environment when it's transported or stored. That opens it up to use in low- and middle-income countries and in regions with less resources to allow for better access to vaccines. "We saw what the COVID pandemic did to our economy, did to our families, did to our small businesses and you know, we want to be prepared," said Terry Duguid, the federal Minister Responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). PrairiesCan also provided VIDO with $30 million to expand, including a new animal housing facility and the ability to upgrade to the highest level of containment to work with any form of human or animal pathogen. VIDO also received funding from CEPI in 2021 for an earlier project on a variant-proof COVID-19 vaccine. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness was founded by the Indian and Norwegian governments, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome and the World Economic Forum. It's supported by several pharmaceutical companies including Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer.
