Sydney (NS) – August 30, 2010 – Cape Breton based musicians will benefit from a new music export fund thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada, through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC).
“Our Government recognizes the importance of the music sector to the Cape Breton economy and the export potential of the region’s performers,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “The Cape Breton International Music Export Fund is an important investment that will allow local musicians to build their careers by creating new opportunities in the international marketplace.”
The Cape Breton International Music Export Fund will provide financial support to artists who are entering new markets outside of Canada. Currently, Cape Breton has a number of artists who are poised to break into international markets. This program aims to increase the success of such endeavors by providing support for various developmental costs. The program will be administered by the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative (CBMIC).
The total cost of this project is $66,666 and ECBC has provided an investment of $50,000.
“The program will be instrumental in creating new success stories in the music industry in Cape Breton,” said Jennifer Pino, Chair of the Board of Directors of CBMIC. “This program will provide support for artists to take advantage of opportunities that arise from industry conferences and showcases like the ECMA International Program, Nova Scotia Music Week, Celtic Colours International Festival and many others.”
The CBMIC is a local industry association mandated to further develop the music industry in Cape Breton. Its goal is to bridge the gap between local musicians and the music industry as a whole. CBMIC wants to assure this industry continues to strengthen and grow within Cape Breton and more importantly, expand on a national and international scale.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA’s programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.
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INFORMATION:
Jennifer Pino
Cape Breton Music Industry Co-operative
902-563-1161
D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
902-564-3617