(from left): Rick Dykstra, MP for St. Catharines, is joined by Debbie Slade, director of Brock's Centre for the Arts, and singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy, at the April 29 funding announcement

Brock University’s Centre for the Arts will be able to present its 2012-13 and 2013-14 Professional Entertainment Series, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

Rick Dykstra, MP for St. Catharines, made the announcement yesterday on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The $120,000 in funding will support the 43rd and 44th editions of the Centre’s Professional Entertainment Series, which runs from September 2012 to March 2014. The series features more than 70 music, dance and theatre performances.

The funds will also support the Centre’s outreach activities, which includes master classes, school concerts, workshops, lectures and community discussions.

“It is important for the citizens of St. Catharines – and for all Canadians – to have access to quality arts and culture presentations,” said Dykstra. “Organizations like the Centre for the Arts contribute greatly to the cultural vibrancy of St. Catharines and the Niagara region.”

“The Centre for the Arts has been the recipient of funding from Canadian Heritage since its inception in 2002,” says Debbie Slade, director of Brock’s Centre for the Arts.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our professional presentation series that provides a diverse lineup of outstanding emerging, established and international artists and for our educational and outreach activities,” says Slade. “This level of funding and support from our Government is critical to our success and we thank them for their ongoing commitment to the arts in Canada.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentation of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.