Ship's Company Theatre to Present State-of-the-Art Cultural Experiences

PARRSBORO, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - July 27, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada is investing a total of $187,525 for improvements to the Ship's Company Theatre.

Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament (Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley), made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).

Funding of $87,525 from Canadian Heritage, provided under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will support the renovation of the theatre space, both indoors and outdoors, as well as the purchase of specialized equipment. Funding of $20,000 ($10,000 for 2015-16 and 2016-17) is also being provided under the Canada Arts Presentation Fund for the Ship's Company Theatre's Presenting Series, a multidisciplinary summer series featuring music and theatre from July to September in both 2015 and 2016.

The Government of Canada is also providing $80,000, through the Innovative Communities Fund of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to support infrastructure upgrades. These include stabilization of the MV Kipawo bow stage, an access ramp onto the deck, new exterior doors, conversion of the heating system, audio-visual equipment and improvements to theatre seating.

Quick Facts

• These investments will help improve the theatre's facilities and infrastructure and give local and regional audiences greater accessibility to year-round arts presentations and unique cultural experiences.
• The Ship's Company Theatre came into existence in 1984, when co-founders Michael Fuller and Mary Vingoe staged the first production aboard an old and dilapidated ferry vessel, the MV Kipawo.
• The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement, renovation and construction of arts and heritage facilities and the acquisition of specialized equipment. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual and media arts and to museum collections and heritage displays.
• The Canada Arts Presentation Fund gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances and other artistic experiences.
• The Innovative Communities Fund invests in strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada's communities.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to supporting organizations that strengthen our communities, boost the local economy and enrich the quality of life of Canadians. Today's investments will enable the Ship's Company Theatre to improve its facilities and continue to offer rich cultural experiences to visitors and residents alike."

-Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of Stare (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

"The board and staff of Ship's Company Theatre gratefully accept the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, which will facilitate our undertaking a major renovation project. Our building and the Kipawo both must be repaired and updated in order for our company to continue to operate a safe and comfortable environment for the public and our staff. Without support from ACOA and Canadian Heritage, this project would not be possible."

-Natasha MacLellan, Artistic Director, Ship's Company Theatre Society

Associated Links:

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Innovative Communities Fund

Ship's Company Theatre

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