The Government of Canada supports the creation of a cultural venue in Sherbrooke.
SHERBROOKE, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament (Compton–Stanstead), today announced $2,700,000 for the Ville de Sherbrooke for the creation of a new theatre and dance venue for local children and youth. She made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
This support, which the Government of Canada is providing through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will be used to give youth more exposure to high-quality professional theatre and dance performances in the Estrie region.
The Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec, the Ville de Sherbrooke and Côté scène are the other partners in this $8-million project. The Ville de Sherbrooke has entrusted Côté scène with the administrative and artistic management of the new venue.
Quotes
"By introducing children to high-quality theatrical works and dance performances at an early age, we can help them develop a life-long interest and passion for the arts. This new venue will introduce young people in Estrie to a world of new discoveries and imagination, while creating good middle-class jobs and contributing to the local economy."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
"I am delighted by this new project, which will add to the region's vitality. The synergy created with the other dance and theatre companies in the Centre Jean-Besré will make downtown Sherbrooke a major cultural centre in Quebec."
—The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament (Compton–Stanstead)
"On behalf of the citizens of Sherbrooke, and especially our youth, I would like to sincerely thank Canadian Heritage for this major financial contribution. It will allow us to finally build a venue where children and youth can experience rich and dynamic cultural programming. Culture is part of our shared wealth, and making this theatre and dance venue a reality for children and youth shows that the Ville de Sherbrooke and its partners truly believe it."
—Bernard Sévigny, Mayor of Sherbrooke
Quick Facts
Sherbrooke, the sixth largest city in Quebec, is the main cultural and economic centre in the Estrie region. Through its cultural policy, the Ville de Sherbrooke helps promote and present arts and heritage activities for all of its citizens. One way it does this is by supporting several established performing arts presenters in the area, including Côté scène.
Since 2009, Côté scène has staged shows for children and youth in Estrie. It has also worked on establishing the theatre and dance venue for young people. The organization offers youth programming that demonstrates the richness and diversity of artistic creation in theatre and dance by presenting shows by established and emerging companies who are mainly from Canada. Côté scène was founded by the Sursaut Dance Company, Le Petit Théâtre de Sherbrooke and Le Théâtre du Double signe, three companies in the Centre des arts de la scène Jean-Besré.
The project entails building a 300-seat performance venue (1600 m2) in downtown Sherbrooke, tailored to theatre and dance for children and youth. This performance venue will be attached to the Centre des arts de la scène Jean-Besré.
The work includes site excavation and preparation, as well as the construction and fit-up of spaces in the new hall (stage, foyer and box office, dressing rooms, gangways, loading dock and so on). The procurement of specialized digital equipment, such as stage, sound, audiovisual and lighting equipment, is also planned.
Associated Links
Ville de Sherbrooke
Côté scène
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
For further information: (media only), please contact: Pierre-Olivier Herbert, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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