Calgary City Council recently approved its 2008 budget and we are pleased to announce that $300,000 in new funding will be available to Calgary festivals through a special Calgary Arts Development grant program.

This new support will be available to Calgary’s arts festivals to build public awareness and encourage audience development. Strengthening the overall reputation of Calgary as a home for dynamic year-round arts festivals and building participation and awareness in our arts festivals will be key focus areas for the funding.

"Festivals are a very accessible way for Calgarians to experience the arts. With this new funding Council is affirming its support for the important role of arts and culture in Calgary's quality of life," said Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development.

Calgary Arts Development will develop criteria and guidelines for this new program in consultation with a working group of community experts. The guidelines and application for the new festivals funding will be available to the community early in 2008.

For questions on Calgary Arts Development's granting programs, please e-mail grants@calgaryartsdevelopment.com . For media requests on this or any other Calgary Arts Development initiative, please contact us.