Lifting the Arts in PEI
News Release
April 29, 2016 – Charlottetown, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
For more than 50 years, Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown has welcomed internationally renowned artists and performers. As the cultural hub continues to challenge and inspire, some theatre equipment, now as old the building itself, is being replaced.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, along with Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, today announced funding for the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust to purchase a state-of-the-art orchestra lift and stage lift. This is the third phase of the theatre pavilion redevelopment project, considered a vital investment to upholding the Centre’s reputation as a world-class performance venue.
Funding for the installation of this major equipment has been shared between two federal departments. Canadian Heritage, through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) is committing $1,101,304 while ACOA is investing $807,692 through the Innovative Communities Fund.
Quotes
“Confederation Centre of the Arts is an incubator for talent, a showcase of the best in Canadian art and performance, and a pillar in PEI’s cultural and tourism economy. The Government of Canada is proud to honour our heritage by investing in the people and the infrastructure that make this important venue so special.”
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
“As a major employer of skilled technicians, creative professionals and other staff, Confederation Centre has played a vital role in our local economy for more than 50 years. I am grateful to the many partners, governmental and private, who understand the immense value of this national arts institution in Charlottetown.”
- Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“On behalf of the board of directors and all staff at Confederation Centre, we thank the Government of Canada for making this significant investment in this national arts and heritage institution. This marks the final stage in a successful multi-year revitalization of the Homburg Theatre, and ensures that our flagship facility is now state-of-the-art with the most sophisticated sound, lighting, and technical equipment available for our patrons, artists, and staff.”
- Ms. Jessie Inman, CEO, Confederation Centre of the Arts
Associated Links
Contacts
Christopher Brooks
Acting Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569
Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788
Gilles Thériault
Regional Communications Manager
Canadian Heritage
Atlantic Region
506-851-3980
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca
Fraser McCallum
Communications Manager
Confederation Centre of the Arts
902-628-6135
Background
Confederation Centre of the Arts officially opened in 1964 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. As Canada’s national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, the Centre seeks “to inspire Canadians to celebrate, through heritage and the arts, the origins and evolution of Canada as a nation.”
This unique Canadian commemorative mandate is fulfilled through its art gallery, the Charlottetown Festival and Live at the Centre programming, the outreach activities of Young@Arts, the Confederation Players, and the Confederation Centre Young Company, Art Discovery Days, Art to the Schools, The School of Performing Arts in partnership with Holland College, the annual Symons Lecture and Medal on the State of Canadian Confederation, and a long history of touring productions.
Since 2012, as part of phase one and two of the Centre’s theatre pavilion redevelopment project, updates have been made to lighting, audio and other technical equipment, public areas brought up to current building code, the rigging system replaced, new electrical services installed, and further infrastructure improvements on stage.
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