On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament (Provencher), today announced funding for the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art (Plug In ICA) for phase three of our capital expansion project.

This funding will assist Plug In ICA, in partnership with the University of Winnipeg, to build a new  building at 460 Portage Avenue in downtown Winnipeg. Plug In ICA will occupy approximately 20 percent of the new building. Once completed, the new facility will provide Plug In ICA with a purpose-built space including four exhibition areas, an archives and library space, and suitable room for on-site exhibit preparation and storage.

“Our Government is proud to support the creation of a new contemporary arts space in Winnipeg,” said Minister Moore. “This international centre for excellence in the visual arts represents an important addition to the city’s cultural infrastructure and will help stimulate the economy.”

“We are committed to supporting the arts in Manitoba and across the country. I’m proud that our Government is investing in the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art in the hopes that it will thrive for years to come,” said Minister Toews.

“This investment by the Government of Canada represents a resounding acknowledgement of the importance of the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art and, more broadly, of the arts and cultural industries in Manitoba and Canada,” said Anthony Kiendl, Director of the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. “As Plug In approaches its 40^th anniversary in 2012, we will now be able to greatly expand our presence in the community and improve our city. Plug In will be a stunning edifice supporting the work of countless artists and producers, sharing Manitoba’s unique voice with the world.”

For more than 35 years, Plug In ICA has presented and promoted contemporary art in Manitoba. Through exhibitions, events, tours, conferences, lectures, and online projects, Plug In ICA brings the most compelling contemporary art to Manitoba.

The Government of Canada has provided $1.4 million in funding under theCanada Cultural Spaces Fund, formerly known as Cultural Spaces Canada. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.

Plug In plans to relocate and open the new facility in the fall of 2010. Plug In also acknowledges the support of the Winnipeg Foundation, and numerous individual, foundation, and corporate donors, volunteers and members.

A news release is available online at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca