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On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Senator the Honourable Michael Duffy (Cavendish, Prince Edward Island) and on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities Cultural Affairs and Labour, Honourable Richard Brown, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry today announced funding for the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust to continue renovations and infrastructure improvements to the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

“Our Government is helping artists build their careers from the early days by investing in venues where they will get their first standing ovation or host their first art exhibition. This support for the Confederation Centre of the Arts is another example of our Government’s commitment to help organizations that contribute not only to their community’s cultural vitality and quality of life, but also to its economy,” said Minister Moore.

“For over forty years, thousands of Islanders and tourists have taken part in cultural activities at the Centre, which provides a venue for visual and performance artists to express their creativity,” said Senator Duffy.

"The Confederation Centre of the Arts is an important cultural facility for our province, and our Government is a proud financial supporter for these much needed renovations,” said Minister Bertram. “By helping to fund this capital retrofit, we are helping to ensure that Islanders and tourists alike have access to exceptional artistic experiences in our capital city.”

“The Confederation Centre of the Arts is a national arts centre and national historic site that features professional performing and visual arts. Thanks to the support of the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island, we are able to undertake ongoing capital improvement projects that complement the calibre of talent we showcase and that people expect at the Confederation Centre,” said David MacKenzie, CEO of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. “This funding will help with energy conservation, improved accessibility, and the development of increased space for training, rehearsals, and performances.”

The Confederation Centre of the Arts was created in 1964 as a major federal-provincial memorial to the Fathers of Confederation. Its mandate is to inspire Canadians to celebrate the creative vision of Confederation and Canada’s evolving nationhood by showcasing the nation’s visual and performing arts and artists. The Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust operates this national institution located in Charlottetown.

Funding will be used to restore and upgrade the structure to achieve conservation and energy efficiencies by increasing humidity and moisture control, and to improve the Centre’s accessibility and visibility. As part of its recent renovations, the Centre has retrofitted its studio space with a proper floor, mirrors, and handrails, greatly enhancing the conditions for dancers to train and rehearse.

The total investment for the Confederation Centre of the Arts retrofit is $2,110,000. The Department of Canadian Heritage, through its Cultural Spaces Canada program, has provided $1,055,000 towards the project; this program contributes to improved physical conditions for artistic creativity and presentation or exhibition. The Province of Prince Edward Island has provided $400,000 towards this initiative to assist in the sustainability of cultural infrastructure in the province. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has contributed $400,000 towards the renovations, and the Confederation Center is providing $255,000.