Culture and Community Services' 2012-13 Budget
The Government of Alberta's 2012-13 budget reflects a responsible, balanced approach to addressing the challenges of a global economy in recovery. Part of that approach includes continuing to implement the goals and priorities of our provincial cultural policy The Spirit of Alberta, and its four keystones of Access, Capacity, Excellence and fostering Cultural Industries. We will do so in cooperation with Albertans mindful of the role that each of us play in building upon our successes to create new opportunities for even greater economic, social and cultural benefit.
Budget 2012 recognizes the immense contribution of the thousands of people in our culture industries, the arts and heritage communities and the nonprofit/voluntary sector to enhancing the quality of life for all Albertans. Culture and Community Services' 2012-13 budget is $231 million.
Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector
Alberta's nonprofit/voluntary sector is a significant part of the fabric of our communities. With over 20,000 registered
societies and charities and an estimated annual impact of $9 billion; the sector is a key contributor to the high quality
of life we enjoy in this province. Budget 2012 provides $95 million for community voluntary support services,
maintaining grant funding at prior year levels:
- $38 million for the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)
- $25.5 million for the Community Initiatives Program (CIP)
- $15.5 million is provided for the Community Spirit Program donation grant
- $4.1 million in the Other Initiatives Program
Heritage
The Government of Alberta is committed to ensuring our province's vibrant cultural legacy is strengthened and preserved for generations to come. Budget 2012 provides $52 million to protect and promote Alberta's history and heritage . This includes:
- Investment in heritage preservation and support to Alberta's network of 19 museums and historic sites across the province and the Provincial Archives of Alberta.
- $8.7 million to the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation, which provides support to the Glenbow Museum, Alberta Museums Association, Municipal Heritage Partnership Program, provincial heritage organizations and the Government House Foundation.
- One of the keys to success in the future is to learn from the stories of our past. We will continue to offer programming that meets curriculum obligations to help our students learn about our history and heritage. Funding will continue to be available to owners of protected historical places to safeguard Alberta's significant historic places and extend their physical life.
Arts and Cultural Industries
Alberta's culture sector not only enhances quality of life; and helps attract and retain a skilled workforce, but is
also responsible for almost three per cent of Alberta's Gross Domestic Product, amounting to $7.81 billion. This sector
delivers a measurable, competitive edge for the province. Budget 2012 provides $58 million for arts and cultural
industries, including:
- $27.9 million to support artists, arts organizations through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts; and
- nearly $19.8 million for creative and multimedia industries; including film, television and digital media productions, book and magazine publishing and the sound recording industry through the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund
- $6.7 million in the Historic Resources Fund for the Jubilee Auditoria.
With Budget 2012 and through our 2012-15 Business Plan, Culture and Community Services is renewing its partnership with our province's cultural community and with all Albertans as collectively we work to ensure our nonprofit/voluntary and multicultural organizations, historic places, artists, culture industries and corporate sector continue to grow together and flourish.
2012-13 Estimates for Culture and Community Services
Government of Alberta's Strategic Plan
