Backed by a Latin jazz band and a spread of hors d'oeuvres, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach pledged $12 million for the arts Friday.

Unveiling a new cultural policy called the Spirit of Alberta, Stelmach said the money is to ensure that the province's artists and cultural industries thrive and to give all Albertans access to culture in their communities.

'Is it enough? Well, you put gas in the tank and you drive till it's empty and hopefully you get a gas station at the other end.'—Michael Green, co-artistic director of One Yellow Rabbit

"Culture contributes greatly to our quality of life and is the lens through which the rest of the world views our province," he said.

The policy, jointly launched by Stelmach at Calgary's Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and by the minister of tourism, parks, recreation and culture in Edmonton's Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, redefines culture to include recreation and sport as well as performance and art.

Melanie Busby, spokeswoman for The Banff Centre, said that while she has issues with the expanded definition, she does see the policy as a positive shift in government attitude.

Colin Jackson, executive director of Calgary's EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, said Alberta lost its cultural lustre during Ralph Klein's Conservative government, when the focus was on pragmatic spending.

"I'm optimistic that we're back on the road to where Alberta used to be, which was a leader in arts and arts policy," said Jackson, who wanted to see an educational component in the policy.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts will administer three-quarters of the $12 million, but the complete details of the funding will be released in the provincial budget next month, said Stelmach.

"Is it enough? Well, you put gas in the tank and you drive till it's empty and hopefully you get a gas station at the other end," said Michael Green, co-artistic director of Calgary's One Yellow Rabbit theatre group.

The policy aims to:

• Ensure stable and predictable funding for Alberta's cultural facilities and foundations.
• Provide funding for communities to plan, build and upgrade cultural and recreational facilities.
• Explore and identify funding models to enhance the sustainability and growth of Alberta's film, TV and new media production industry.

With a provincial election expected to be called next month, the Opposition Liberals released their arts and culture policy this week — a policy that would eliminate youth entrance fees to art galleries and museums.

Earlier this week, the premier announced funding for universities in Edmonton and Calgary to upgrade infrastructure.