Community information session on Cultural Capital of Canada 2014 designation

New Westminster, BC – The City of New Westminster is hosting an important community information session on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Massey Theatre to share information and solicit ideas from the City’s arts, cultural and event organizing community members for the designation of Cultural Capital of Canada 2014.

The City of New Westminster will be applying to the Department of Canadian Heritage for designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2014. Deadline for the application is June 30, 2012. A successful bid could mean up to $1,000,000 in funding for arts and cultural groups in the city.

The City of New Westminster is inviting all arts, cultural and community groups to attend this important information session. The session is also open to neighbourhood associations, businesses, multicultural groups, heritage organizations, First Nations groups, youth groups, seniors organizations… to name a few. Any organizations or groups within New Westminster who can fulfill the program criteria are invited.

The Cultural Capital of Canada Steering Committee (a sub-committee of the City’s Arts Commission) is spearheading this initiative on behalf of the city.

In order to present a comprehensive proposal, the City is anticipating a great turn-out to the community forum on March 28th. In 2014, New Westminster will mark several important milestones in its history. The City will celebrate its 155th anniversary; the Westminster Pier Park will be in full swing; the new Civic Centre will be open to the community, complete with art studio spaces, a new 350-seat theatre, Museum and Art Gallery; and a brand new Massey Performing Arts Centre will be in the planning stages.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise the cultural profile of New Westminster on a national scale,” says Greg Magirescu, the City’s Manager of Arts & Cultural Development. “Designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada would be a tremendous boost for the local community by contributing to economic development, increased tourism, and supporting innovative and sustainable creative partnerships.”

Anyone interested in attending this important information session should RSVP to or call the Massey Theatre at 604-517-5900 before March 26th.

 
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Contact for media use only:
Greg Magirescu
Manager, Arts & Cultural Development
or 604.527.4530