NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario,– The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Shaw Festival Theatre is benefiting from a boost to its fundraising efforts through the Shaw Festival Theatre Endowment Foundation.
The Shaw Festival, established in 1962, is an internationally renowned not-for-profit repertory theatre company. Each festival season, from spring until autumn, it presents hundreds of performances in its four theatres.
“The Shaw Festival Theatre has a long history of presenting world-class theatre productions for local residents and visitors,” said Minister Nicholson. “Our Government is proud to boost the Festival’s endowment fund to ensure its financial stability today and for many years to come.”
“Not-for-profit arts and culture organizations like the Shaw Festival Theatre contribute to the cultural strength of our communities and enrich the quality of life of all Canadians,” said Minister Moore. “By supporting these organizations, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage.”
“The Shaw Festival’s endowment fund provides a stable source of annual operating funding and helps to ensure our future,” said Elaine Calder, Executive Director of the Shaw Festival Theatre Endowment Foundation. “We and our donors are grateful to the federal government for their enlightened support of our company through the matching program at Canadian Heritage.”
The Government of Canada is providing funding of $296,121 for the Shaw Festival Theatre Endowment Foundation so they can manage and invest on behalf of the Shaw Festival Theatre.
The funding is being provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations.
To date, the program has contributed to the long-term sustainability of 171 arts organizations across Canada through matching grants to endowment funds.
