What do former Winnipeg singer Bif Naked and author David Bergen have to do with the upcoming Federal election?

Rod Bruinooge, Anita Neville, Pat Martin (Handout Photos)

Not much, except Manitoba Scene tells you which candidate calls Luke Doucet their favourite Winnipeg musician and which one prefers the music of Bif Naked, or the Duhks.

Plus Bruinooge, Neville and Martin take on the question:  What's more important, sports or the arts?

This week, Artsvote Winnipeg is presenting a federal election arts & culture forum on Wednesday, April 20th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Manitoba Theatre for Young People. 

Rod Bruinooge, the Conservative candidate for Winnipeg South

1) What was the last cultural event you went to that made you proud to be a Manitoban?

The last event I attended was the India School of Dance graduation ceremony of two of their musicians in March of this year.

2) How do you personally support the arts?

I am someone who enjoys attending arts of all genres. Occasionally I try to create some art, however, quite poorly.  I attempt to visit as many arts and cultural events as I can throughout Manitoba - one of my favourites being Folklorama.

3) Your favourite Manitoba band?

I have two favourites: Bif Naked, and The Weakerthans.

4) Last book you read by a Manitoban author?

Canada's First Nations, by Olive Dickason.  I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful Metis author before she passed away recently.

5) How does your party support the arts?

Our party has significantly increased support for the arts since becoming the government, by almost 20% from the previous government.  Also, we are the only major government in the world to increase funding to the arts during the recession.  On the local arts scene we have also been very supportive with recent investments in the Plug In Gallery as well as funding the creation of the largest national museum outside the capital region, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. 

6) What's more important to support, sport or arts and why?

I think they are equally important.  It is beneficial to have both arts and sports in your life, one benefits the body the other the mind and soul.

Anita Neville is the incumbent Liberal Party candidate in Winnipeg South Centre. 

1) What was the last cultural event you went to that made you proud to be a Manitoban?

Just in the last two weeks I attended the Opera and MTC. Both had strong representation from the local arts community, which is always great to see. 

2) How do you personally support the arts?

I subscribe to The Manitoba Opera and the Manitoba Theatre Centre and MTC Warehouse. I attend a wide variety of shows throughout the year. I make a point in advertising regularly in publications like Dig! and programs for shows. I meet regularly with members of the arts community to hear their concerns.

3) Your favourite Manitoba band?

Right now it's Luke Doucet. He went through school at Sacre Coeur with my daughter.

4) Last book you read by a Manitoban author?

I have actually recently read two books by local authors. Winnipeg's Ladies from Hell by Murray Burt and The Time In Between by David Bergen. 

5) How does your party support the arts?

A Liberal government will significantly increase support for Canadian artists and creators by doubling the annual budget of the Canada Council for the Arts, from $180 million to $360 million over the next four years.

A Liberal government will also restore the Promart and Trade Routes cultural promotion programs, increasing their funding to $25 million. These programs play an important role in bringing Canadian culture to the world and increasing our exports. The new annual funding will help to create a domestic tours program as well.

6) What's more important to support, sport or arts and why?

I don't understand why this is an either / or question. Why would we have to choose? We should be supporting both.

Pat Martin is the incumbent NDP candidate for Winnipeg Centre.

1) What was the last cultural event you went to that made you proud to be a Manitoban?

2010 Folkfest 

2) How do you personally support the arts?

I attend shows and advocate for funding for arts organizations. I've also put forward private members bills calling for more support for artists across the country.

3) Your favourite Manitoba band?

The Duhks

4) Last book you read by a Manitoban author?

A Complicated Kindness

5) How does your party support the arts?

The NDP takes a stand to defend against cuts to the arts.

6) What's more important to support, sport or arts and why?

There are both vital to healthy communities and individuals and they both deserve and require more funding.