This year’s celebration of the centennial have been helped along by the federal government.
This year the valley has been celebrating 100 years since commercial mining had its birth in the valley. Springing from that was the growth of industry and community. The centennial celebration was one of 93 projects in Alberta that were funded by Canadian Heritage programs. The Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site received $24,400 for the celebrations.
“Investing in arts and heritage is central to the economic health of communities across Canada,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, who made he announcement on September 2 on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. “Thanks to this investment, artists and arts organizations across Alberta can continue to offer great performances and cultural experiences.”
Linda Digby executive director of the Atlas Coal Mine said they received the grant in April of this year. The funding has gone to artists and performers and event costs. The funds helped present the May Day weekend as well as the Heritage Ball Classic.
She said more events are coming up this fall.
According to a press release the Government of Canada has provided total funding of $6,270,201 under five programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Cooperation with the Community Sector component of the Development of Official Languages Communities Program, and the Canada Cultural Investment Fund.
The funds the community receive were from the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program, which provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This year this program invested about $1.8 million in Alberta.
