Confederation Centre CEO excited about arts funding in budget

Confederation Centre of the Arts chief executive officer Jessie Inman says she is hoping the centre will be able to tap into some of the extra money in the federal budget slated for arts and culture.

"It's very exciting, it truly is," said Inman. "To see this kind of commitment to the arts and culture sectors in our country, it has been a very, very, long time coming and I believe everyone across the country is very excited about it."

The Canada Council, which provides funding to artists and cultural projects across the country will see its annual budget of $182 million nearly doubled within five years. 

Canada's national museums are getting an immediate injection of $33 million to address maintenance and operating costs, with $105 million pledged over the next five years.  

Inman said it is the most comprehensive and positive federal budget in many years.  

"They are going to support Canada's national museums in a much bigger way than they have in the past," said Inman. "And as Canada's national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, celebrating heritage and the arts, we should be able to tap into that. And also there is new money in Canada Cultural spaces. That's more infrastructure funding."

"And also there is significant new funds going to Canada Council for the Arts. There are definitely places that I see where we could possibly tap into. "

Inman said the art gallery needs upgrading and there are other parts of the more than 50-year-old building still in need of renovations.

She said the work now begins to get more details on the new funding and to start the application process.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Charlottetown, Havana twinning agreement recalled by former mayor
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Union worried about changes to Canada Post mail sorting in Charlottetown