Enhancements underway at Highland Arts Theatre
News release
Government of Canada funding helps Highland Arts Theatre with fire suppression system upgrades
April 19, 2023 · Sydney, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Creative communities play a key role in strengthening Atlantic Canada's reputation as a culturally-rich destination of choice. That is why the Government of Canada is helping complete improvements to the Highland Arts Theatre, so audiences can continue enjoying made-in-Cape Breton theatre experiences as well as visiting productions, driving economic development.
Today, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, announced total Government of Canada contributions totalling $625,000 to the non-profit Highland Arts Theatre Association. The investment will help enhance the Highland Arts Theatre, a popular performance venue in downtown Sydney known as “The HAT.”
The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
A non-repayable contribution of $375,000 is being made through ACOA and $250,000 is from the Department of Canadian Heritage for a modern fire suppression system at the Highland Arts Theatre. Work began in January and is expected to be completed in June with the bulk of the improvements finished by the end of April. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is also contributing $25,000.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects like this one that help grow strong, vibrant communities, and enhance quality of life for Atlantic Canadians.
Quotes
“ACOA is proud to invest in performing arts facilities in Atlantic Canada. Venues such as the Highland Arts Theatre support the talented artists and creative industry professionals who bring our region’s stories and songs to the stage, enriching life for people of all ages and abilities and contributing to a thriving economy."
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Atlantic Canada has vibrant arts communities where our artists and audiences thrive, and the Highland Arts Theatre is the place to celebrate and showcase international and local Cape Breton music, dance, theatre and more. With these important infrastructure upgrades, I am confident that the theatre will welcome and delight audiences for years to come.”
- The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage
“We are pleased to help make the historic St. Andrew’s United Church an even better home for Sydney’s beloved Highland Arts Theatre. Now in its ninth year of staging professional artistic productions, The HAT continues to operate year-round, playing a leading role in the vibrant cultural scene of Cape Breton, entertaining and training locals and drawing visitors to Sydney to experience everything that makes our community unique.”
- Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria
“The HAT is the creative heart and soul of downtown Sydney. We thank the federal government immensely for this significant contribution and partnership, both key to the building’s future and sustaining this vibrant cultural space.”
- Amanda McDougall, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
"We are so grateful for this support in bringing our beautiful 119-year-old building into the 21st century. The effort and expense of preserving a historical property is no small feat, but we know this investment will guarantee thousands of smiling faces in our audiences for years to come. We are so honoured to represent downtown Sydney to the world and can't wait to see what's next. Our sincerest thanks to our government partners for helping us take this first big step and we look forward to taking the next step together."
- Wesley Colford, Artistic and Executive Director, Highland Arts Theatre
Quick facts
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The Highland Arts Theatre (The HAT) Association’s mandate is to create year-round professional theatre with an emphasis on Cape Breton artists, stories and songs. Approximately 90 per cent of the shows are The HAT’s productions. The venue is also available for rent and has hosted visiting dance, theatre and music performances, including Celtic Colours concerts.
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About 40,000 people attended performances at The HAT in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. 2019 was also the year The HAT Academy was launched, a training program for emerging and professional artists from children to senior citizens.
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The ACOA funding announced today is provided through its Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), which supports projects that build the economies of communities in Atlantic Canada.
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Funding also comes from the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) which supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage culture and creative innovation. The Fund supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces.
Associated links
Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
John Brannen
Regional Communications Advisor
Canadian Heritage, Atlantic Region
902-403-3652
john.brannen@pch.gc.ca
Christina Lamey
Communications & Information Officer
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
902-574-0178
Wesley Colford
Artistic and Executive Director
Highland Arts Theatre
902-565-5970
admin@highlandartstheatre.com
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