July 29, 2021 · Gros Morne, Newfoundland and Labrador · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Ensuring Atlantic Canadian businesses and organizations have the skillsets they need to thrive, grow, and compete is more important than ever. That is why the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are helping Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. (GMSM), on the West Coast of Newfoundland, offer additional digital training opportunities.
Governments support digital learning
Today, Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, along with the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, announced a total investment of $136,721 for GMSM to expand its services and programs.
This investment will help GMSM teach digital and gaming skills, create new interactive youth programs and rebrand the organization to better reflect all of its activities. These initiatives will help organizations and youth excel in today's online-focused world and create more opportunities to use digital platforms to create and share performance and visual art.
Today's announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to help Atlantic Canadians grow their skills, and ensure businesses and communities come out of this pandemic stronger than ever.
Quotes
"Over the last year we have seen how important digital expertise has become for business development and success. By supporting projects like Gros Morne Summer Music's we are helping Atlantic Canadian organizations and younger generations build the necessary skillsets to thrive in the digital world. Through our plan for a strong economic recovery, our government is ensuring that Canadians are at the forefront of innovation, and the digital shift and fully participating in growing a healthy, robust economy."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
"Before the pandemic hit, Gros Morne Summer Music recognized the importance of digital technology in the arts community. It is amazing to see how it, and other non-profit organizations in Long Range Mountains, have taken the initiative to build their digital arts services, both to survive in the pandemic and to come out of it stronger and more diversified than before. I'm delighted that the Government of Canada is providing this investment to help build these vital skillsets in our province."
- Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
"Gros Morne Summer Music has led several initiatives involving digital technology and creative industries. With a focus on digital skills development and expanding the online presence of its cultural content, the organization is advancing this project to add to their already well-established products and services on the West Coast."
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
"Having both federal and provincial governments step in to support this work has meant a tremendous amount to our organization, both fiscally and for our morale. It gives us the means and the conviction to continue striving to build unique and sustainable capacity for our region."
- Reg Kachanoski, Operations Manager, Gros Morne Summer Music Inc.
Quick facts
-
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's (ACOA) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, is providing a non-repayable contribution of $82,106 towards the project.
-
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $54,615.
-
Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. is a professional arts organization which offers digital training and resources for tourism and arts and culture organizations, and youth. It began as a non-profit in 2003 as a classical chamber summer music festival held in Gros Morne National Park. The operation has evolved into a year-round "interarts" organization that works across four major areas of activity including presentation, creation, innovation and training.
-
This investment is supporting four initiatives: two new fall workshops teaching digital infrastructure and gaming; the creation of a youth interactive arts and game development program; a rebrand exercise to reflect the organization's core services; and minor modifications to the facility in Corner Brook to allow for the safe delivery of programs.
