The Department of Canadian Heritage has announced the Canadian Opera Company and The National Ballet of Canada will receive a total of $644,372 to cover the costs of updates to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.
Distributed through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the funding will cover the costs of purchasing and installing the technology to enable digital recording and livestreaming.
Since its creation in 2001, the fund has provided support to over 1,000 renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment, and feasibility studies for venues across Canada.
According to COC’s outgoing General Director Alexander Neef, the support could not have come at a better time.
“Digital upgrades to this space will provide more access than ever to Canadian opera, its creators, and Canadian Opera Company’s growing network of artistic collaborators, said Neef. “Canadian Heritage has been a true lifeline for the arts, and we are grateful for the government’s historic support.”
While venues like Roy Thomson Hall and Koerner Hall can already capture and stream rehearsals and performances live, the updates will give the Four Seasons Centre the same capability.
The funding will also be used to digitally equip the COC and National Ballet’s satellite venues at Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre and the Walter Carsen Centre.
“This forward-thinking investment from the Department of Canadian Heritage allows for high quality digital capture of performances, making our art form accessible to more Canadians and giving us the ability to showcase our work to the world,” said Barry Hughson, Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada. “The National Ballet of Canada is thrilled to be a partner on this timely initiative and thanks the Government of Canada for investing in our future.”
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