The Manitoba government has made a six-million-dollar investment in the province’s arts and culture community.

Premier Brian Pallister notes the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all parts of life in the province, but with bans on large group gatherings, the cultural scene has been especially hard-hit.

“Public health restrictions that are necessary to protect Manitobans have very, very significantly limited the ability of this sector to do what it does best: bring people together to enjoy a shared experience.” Pallister said.

The funding, through the newly-created Arts and Culture Sustainability Fund, will be distributed through the Manitoba Arts Council and Manitoba Film and Music; details on eligibility requirements and the application process will soon be available through those agencies.

This funding will be available to museums, galleries, festivals, cultural facilities, community arts, publishing, artists and musical groups, “even if they have qualified for previous provincial or federal programming” Pallister noted in a news release.