On October 4, 2018, the Government of Alberta announced an additional investment of $219,000 a year, for four years, in the province’s magazine industry as part of its “ongoing commitment to preserve Alberta culture, help create jobs and diversify the economy.”

This investment will increase the sector’s annual funding to more than $650,000. It will help publishers “hire talented professionals, develop intellectual property and create quality products.”

MLA Michael Connolly announced the investment in Calgary at the CORE Shopping Centre along with Alberta Magazine Publishers Association’s Executive Director Suzanne Trudel; AMPA Board member and Publisher of Creative Scrapbooker Katharina Doyle; AMPA Board member and Publisher of Calgary’s Child Ellen Percival; and AMPA President and Group Publisher of RedPoint Media Joyce Byrne, who also kicked off Read Alberta Magazines Month at the event.

In a press release from the Government of Alberta, Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism, said: “Alberta magazines are experiencing a renaissance and provide readers with unique literary and visual experiences. Our government is proud to support the editors, art directors, writers, graphic artists and publishers who add to Alberta’s creative cultural landscape.”

In 2016, Alberta’s magazine industry contributed more than $105 million to Alberta’s GDP and accounted for more than 1,150 jobs. Alberta magazine publishers produce nearly 200 titles every year, and deliver 18 million copies of magazines to readers across the province and the country.

AMPA’s Read Alberta Magazines Month initiative in October will host pop-up magazine events at the CORE, including contests, scrapbooking crafts and therapy dogs, as well as new issues of Alberta magazines for reading and sharing.

Read more:

From the Government of Alberta: More support for Alberta’s magazine industry

From AMPA: Investment in Alberta’s Magazine Industry; Read Alberta Magazines Month