Funding for Renovations to the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton

FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - Dec. 9, 2016) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Federal, provincial and city representatives were at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre today to announce funding for a project that will expand accessibility and enhance programming at the historic building.

Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament (Fredericton), on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced federal funding of $826,075 over two years to the Charlotte Street Arts Centre.

The Honourable Stephen Horsman, New Brunswick Minister of Families and Children, announced provincial funding of $375,000 on behalf of the Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.

Mayor Mike O'Brien noted that the City of Fredericton is providing $250,000 in funding to the project over the next five years: $90,000 in 2016, $50,000 in each year from 2017 to 2019, and, $10,000 in 2020.

With this funding, the Charlotte Street Arts Centre will undergo a variety of improvements that will benefit artists, audiences and organizations. These include installation of an elevator and accessible washroom, a new wing with additional artist work spaces, a new backstage area, a kiln room, an enhanced box office and lobby, a community room, a professional sound system and additional lighting equipment.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in its work to make arts and culture accessible, in every sense, to the people of this region. By supporting cultural organizations, we are helping to create jobs and strengthen the economy, while also contributing to the quality of life in communities."

-The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"I am delighted that our Government is contributing to the continued success of the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, a vital hub for artists, arts and culture organizations, and other community groups. These new upgrades to the Centre will provide an amazing cultural space for creators, audiences and organizations that promote the arts."

-Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament (Fredericton)

"New Brunswickers want their government to make investments to help the economy. They also want us to make investments that will improve their quality of life-including this investment for the Charlotte Streets Arts Centre, which will allow it to make a larger impact on the Fredericton community."

-The Honourable Stephen Horsman, Minister of Families and Children, Government of New Brunswick

"The City of Fredericton is pleased to help fund improvements to the Charlotte Street Arts Centre that will make the building fully accessible and more usable for rental clients. One of our key priorities as a City Council right now is to support investments in culture assets intended to make Fredericton a more livable community, and this project certainly fits that bill."

-Mayor Mike O'Brien, Mayor, City of Fredericton

"The Charlotte Street Arts Centre is thrilled to be working alongside the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Regional Development Corporation and the City of Fredericton as we embark on our Accessibility Expansion Project. This funding will allow us to better connect Frederictonians to the dynamic and diverse cultural fabric of the community through arts engagement. This tremendous support from all levels of government will ensure that the arts in our community are inclusive and accessible to everybody."

-Nora Kelly, President, Charlotte Street Arts Centre

Quick Facts

• The Charlotte Street Arts Centre, which officially opened as an arts centre in 2005, is owned and operated by Fredericton Arts and Learning Incorporated. In 2006, the Centre became part of the Local Historic Places Register (municipal) and acquired the status of Provincial Historic Site in 2009.
• The Centre is home to 16 organizations and artists, with about 20,000 people attending a variety of cultural and educational events each year.
• A 175-seat auditorium at the Centre boasts the best acoustics in the city.
• Support from the Department of Canadian Heritage is provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. Provincial funding is provided from the Regional Development Corporation, and the City's funding comes from its Strategic Partner Capital Grants program.
• The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund has provided funding to the Charlotte Street Arts Centre over several years, including support for the initial renovation project that began in 2004.

Associated Links

Charlotte Street Arts Centre

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Government of New Brunswick

City of Fredericton

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