[Bcma-l] [Fwd: CMA, Communique: Two cuts in one day- brutal elimination of
international cultural programs
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:43:46 -0700
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Subject: CMA, Communiqué: Two cuts in one day- brutal elimination of
international cultural programs [REF5360000848000008639]
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:19:00 -0400
From: Canadian Museums Association des musées canadiens
<lmcconnell@museums.ca>
*Two cuts in one day: brutal elimination of international cultural programs*
*August 14, 2008, Ottawa* -- Last Friday, August 8th, the federal
government suddenly eliminated 2 programs that support the cultural
community including museums abroad.
The first cut was PromArt, a $4.7 million cultural program administered
by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
The program's funding was used to send artists all over the globe to
represent Canada- to share and promote our nation's culture and values
abroad. It's called cultural diplomacy and it is a meaningful way of
promoting our culture while facilitating trade talks.
That same Friday, the government also terminated Trade Routes, a program
that helps arts organizations export and sell their goods and services
internationally. Valued at $9-million annually and administered by the
Department of Heritage, the program will be cut effective next March.
Both of these programs were beneficial in raising Canada's profile
abroad; were a cost-effective and indirect way of internationally
promoting our culture and values; and put forward our multicultural
social fabric in a time when being a serious global player is important
to Canada and Canadians. The question remains, how can we expect to have
international visibility if we are cutting funds for international
cultural programs?
Even more concerning is the growing trend of surprise cuts facing our
community by the federal government. In September 2006, then Minister of
Canadian Heritage, Hon. Bev Ova announced a number of cuts, most notably
the $4.6 million cut to the Museums Assistance Program (MAP). MAP was a
program solely dedicated to museums and the first of a series of
unexpected cuts despite the new government's repeated promises to
increase funding for our small and regional museums. Of course, we are
all well aware of the elimination of the Exhibit Transportation Service
as well. And there are rumours of more cuts to come.
Most appalling is the apparent absence of any new strategy. The CMA has
called for a new National Museum Policy but the government has shown
little interest. The government's Throne Speech makes Canada's
international presence in the world a central part of its strategy but
it appears to have no policy to support Canadian culture on the world
stage. It's 'Advantage Canada' economic plan focuses on exports and
global competitiveness but in the area of culture and heritage, this
appears to mean just cuts to export assistance programs and no new
policy ideas.
The CMA has written a letter to the Prime Minister. The CMA is not aware
of any consultation on this issue, nor has there been an official
announcement from the Departments. The cuts were confirmed by government
officials after reports of these program cuts appeared in the media.
-30-
* *
*For further information:*
John G. McAvity
Executive Director
_jmcavity@museums.ca_
Jim Everson
Director, Government Relations
_jeverson@magma.ca _
_ _
_ _
/Aussi disponible en français. /
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">Subject: </th>
<td>CMA, Communiqué: Two cuts in one day- brutal elimination of
international cultural programs [REF5360000848000008639]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">Date: </th>
<td>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:19:00 -0400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">From: </th>
<td>Canadian Museums Association des musées canadiens
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:lmcconnell@museums.ca"><lmcconnell@museums.ca></a></td>
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<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 13pt;"><b>Two cuts in one day:
brutal elimination of international cultural programs</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>August 14, 2008,
Ottawa</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">
– Last Friday, August 8th, the federal government suddenly eliminated 2
programs that support the cultural community including museums abroad. </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">The first cut was
PromArt, a $4.7 million cultural program administered by the Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). The program’s
funding was used to send artists all over the globe to represent
Canada- to share and promote our nation’s culture and values abroad.
It’s called cultural diplomacy and it is a meaningful way of promoting
our culture while facilitating trade talks. </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">That same Friday, the
government also terminated Trade Routes, a program that helps arts
organizations export and sell their goods and services internationally.
Valued at $9-million annually and administered by the Department of
Heritage, the program will be cut effective next March.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">Both of these programs
were beneficial in raising Canada’s profile abroad; were a
cost-effective and indirect way of internationally promoting our
culture and values; and put forward our multicultural social fabric in
a time when being a serious global player is important to Canada and
Canadians. The question remains, how can we expect to have
international visibility if we are cutting funds for international
cultural programs? </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">Even more concerning is
the growing trend of surprise cuts facing our community by the federal
government. In September 2006, then Minister of Canadian Heritage, Hon.
Bev Ova announced a number of cuts, most notably the $4.6 million cut
to the Museums Assistance Program (MAP). MAP was a program solely
dedicated to museums and the first of a series of unexpected cuts
despite the new government’s repeated promises to increase funding for
our small and regional museums. Of course, we are all well aware of the
elimination of the Exhibit Transportation Service as well. And there
are rumours of more cuts to come.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">Most appalling is the
apparent absence of any new strategy. The CMA has called for a new
National Museum Policy but the government has shown little interest.
The government’s Throne Speech makes Canada’s international presence in
the world a central part of its strategy but it appears to have no
policy to support Canadian culture on the world stage. It’s ‘Advantage
Canada’ economic plan focuses on exports and global competitiveness but
in the area of culture and heritage, this appears to mean just cuts to
export assistance programs and no new policy ideas.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">The CMA has written a
letter to the Prime Minister. The CMA is not aware of any consultation
on this issue, nor has there been an official announcement from the
Departments. The cuts were confirmed by government officials after
reports of these program cuts appeared in the media.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;" align="center"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;" align="center"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;" align="center"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">-30-</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>For further
information:</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">John G. McAvity</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">Executive
Director </span></p>
<p><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jmcavity@museums.ca">jmcavity@museums.ca</a></u></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">Jim Everson</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;">Director,
Government Relations</span></p>
<p><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jeverson@magma.ca">jeverson@magma.ca</a>
</u></span></p>
<p><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"></span></p>
<p><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u> </u></span></p>
<p><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"></span></p>
<p><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u> </u></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span
style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Aussi disponible en
français. </i></span></p>
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