The Government of Saskatchewan is Supporting SaskMusic Through a Pilot Funding Arrangement
As part of a pilot funding arrangement, SaskMusic will be able to respond to the development and marketing needs of home-grown talent.
Historically, SaskMusic has been funded through the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Funding to SaskMusic has been delivered through two programs, the Creative Industry Growth and Sustainability Program (CIGS) and Culture on the Go (COGO) since 2008. However, SaskMusic requested the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport provide funding to them directly in 2012. The ministry, SaskMusic and the Saskatchewan Arts Board worked collaboratively to develop this new funding agreement.
"After consulting with SaskMusic and the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Government of Saskatchewan has agreed to a pilot project to ensure that SaskMusic can be responsive to its diverse members," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. "Music is a strong, growing industry in Saskatchewan and SaskMusic believes the new agreement will better suit the organization's needs."
The agreement does not involve new funds. It is a redistribution of $440,000 that previously went to SaskMusic through the Saskatchewan Arts Board. This redistribution does not affect the current funding levels distributed to other creative industries.
"We are pleased that the Government of Saskatchewan will allow its support for the commercial music industry to be administered directly by SaskMusic," SaskMusic CEO J.P. Ellson said. "Our knowledge and expertise will allow that support to be delivered in a timely manner in accordance with the constantly changing nature of our industry. We look forward to new programs and marketing initiatives which will bring the music of Saskatchewan to the world."
The CIGS program year does not align with the fiscal year, so the pilot agreement will last for only seven months, from September 1, 2012, until March 31, 2013. In the meantime, Moving the Creative Industries Forward consultations are underway. They began in late August and will continue through the fall.
"SaskMusic is gearing up to deliver ‘A Year of Music' in Saskatchewan," Doherty said. "Our province will welcome artists and fans from across North America this weekend when Saskatoon hosts the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs) in addition to the Western Canadian Music Awards in Regina in late September and the Juno Awards in Regina next April. The Government of Saskatchewan wishes our province's musicians good luck at the CCMAs this weekend and looks forward to the year of music ahead."
Government helped fund the CCMAs through a $375,000 sponsorship.
