Iqaluit, Nunavut – Nunavut’s artists will have greater opportunities to create and market their artwork as a result of multi-year funding from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. 

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for the North and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, made the announcement on behalf of John Duncan, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

The Government of Canada will provide a $624,000 investment over the next three years to the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association (NACA). The funding will significantly benefit artists across the Territory, who will have access to community skills development workshops, increased marketing opportunities at trade shows and improved studio space to create their work.

“This funding will support the development of new methods and tools to market the beautiful and unique artwork for which Nunavut is becoming internationally renowned, and it will support a more stable and prosperous cultural industry for the people of Nunavut,” said Minister Aglukkaq.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping women flourish economically in communities across Canada, and this initiative is an excellent way to support women in Nunavut,” said Minister Ambrose.

“Our Government is proud to support the arts and crafts sector in Nunavut, which not only generates significant income for artists, but is also vital to preserving and promoting the culture and history of Nunavut,” said Minister Duncan, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

“The Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association is excited to have this unique opportunity over the next three years to work with artists in Nunavut on the continued development and marketing of Inuit art nationally and internationally. We are very thankful to CanNor for giving us the support to allow us to focus on the arts in the North," said Jerry Ell, Chairman of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.

The investment for this project was made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED), which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in the three territories.  SINED was renewed in 2009 for $90 million over five years as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor, the federal agency responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development activities across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.