Canada/Winnipeg invests $2 million to support art downtown
Four Winnipeg arts organizations could receive $2 million in grants from the City. However, these funds must first be approved by City Council.
Heritage Winnipeg General Manager Cindy Tugwell is delighted. This is great news and we congratulate the Mayor and the City.
I know he mentioned that [the grants] are to support the downtown core and strengthen Winnipeg's arts and cultural sector, but it's also very important to note the addition of our built heritage. That's now done," she points out.
The Pantages Playhouse Theatre, a 110-year-old building designated a national historic monument, will receive $837,000. Unused since 2019, the building must nevertheless remain heated and undergo regular inspections due to its status, to prevent any deterioration.
Cindy Tugwell adds that there are always concerns about the condition of buildings unoccupied for too long, particularly when they have historic value.
Arts capital fund breakdown :
- Pantages Playhouse: $87,500 in 2024, and $250,000 per year between 2025 and 2027 for renovations.
- The Royal Winnipeg Ballet: $87,500 in 2024, and $250,000 per year from 2025 to 2027 for the modernization and expansion of its downtown campus.
- Manitoba Opera: $25,000 to upgrade computer systems and ticketing technology.
- Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre: $300,000 for community safety and accessibility project.
Some of the funds are being allocated now, although they have been earmarked in the 2024-2027 multi-year budget, said a City spokesperson.
Winnipeg's mayor stresses the importance of these organizations, which contribute to the city's cultural identity. They are not only a source of entertainment, but also an engine for Winnipeg's economic activity," he says.
Although the funds still require City Council approval, Councillor Sherri Rollins believes the vote will be unanimous. The arts are one of the reasons we choose to locate downtown. And we're fortunate in that City Council also supports this approach," she adds.
Heritage Winnipeg director Cindy Tugwell is still waiting to hear the details of the plan, particularly with regard to the Pantages Playhouse.
The building had been put up for sale in 2019 for $530,000, and although two contractors expressed interest, the sale fell through.
It was then sold for $1 to the Performing Arts Consortium charity, which has pledged to raise between $10 and $15 million for its restoration and put in place a management team to run it. One of the main tenants is expected to be the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
With this announcement, we'll follow up to see what we can find out. But the priority remains the upkeep of the building, which requires major maintenance and investment, concludes Cindy Tugwell.
Siurce: ici.radio-canada.ca/
