Backgrounder - Support for Nunavut’s Arts and Culture Industries

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will invest a total of $230,000 into Nunavut film and art industries.

Nunavut Film Development Corporation: - $140,000

CanNor is investing $140,000 in the Nunavut Film Development Corporation (NFDC) for marketing and promotional initiatives. This investment will allow NFDC to create marketing materials targeting four key film and television sectors: co-production, foreign-service location, commercials and documentaries. The funding will also allow NFDC to attend festivals, trade shows, and industry events to promote production opportunities in Nunavut.

Nunavut’s film industry remains a key economic sector with projects generating activity worth an estimated $13 million during the 2008/09 fiscal year. Research from the NFDC indicates that with development, Nunavut’s film, television, and digital media industries could grow by as much as 25 per cent over the next five years.

Funding for this initiative came from CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in the three territories.

Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists Association - $90,000

CanNor’s total investment of $90,000 will be going towards two Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Association (UIAA) projects.

A first project, totalling $40,000, will support a series of professional development workshops for established artists and the introduction drawing and printmaking for younger, aspiring artists.

A total of $50,000 will be invested in revitalizing UIAA’s print studio. The building is 20 years old and requires a number of upgrades; including the design and installation of a new roof, constructing a wheelchair ramp and improving the existing boardwalk. Work on the studio will provide a better environment for Inuit artists to practice their craft and give tourists better access to the facilities.

The UIAA was incorporated in 1988 as a fully Inuit-owned and run organization. It serves the artists of Pangnirtung and supports the arts and culture industry to ensure full participation and control by creating employment and training opportunities for artists.

This investment is possible through the Community Economic Opportunities Program (CEOP), which is designed to support projects that maximize opportunities for increased community economic benefits such as more community employment, greater use of land and resources under community control, more and larger community businesses, more business opportunities, and a better climate and environment for community economic development.