Province commits funds for RWB campus plan

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This article was published 23/03/2022 (1665 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Heather Stefanson went to the ballet Wednesday afternoon — announcing $7.5 million in provincial funding toward the expansion and modernization of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s downtown campus.

The funding will help the downtown cultural institution make critical upgrades and improvements in areas such as efficiency, conservation of energy, accessibility, safety and artistic possibilities, the premier said.

The RWB plan includes new living facilities for its boarding students, as well as a modern 3,400-square-foot studio for the use of more than 1,500 dancers in the organization’s professional and recreational divisions.

Before taking centre stage, Stefanson sat in the front row beside RWB school director Stéphane Léonard for a brief performance by the ballet’s professionals, choreographed by Cameron Fraser-Monroe and set to music by Jeremy Dutcher.

The premier watched with glee before walking to a podium in front of the ballet’s students, who stood posed for the entirety of Stefanson’s four-minute address.”My goodness, that was an absolutely amazing performance,” she said. “Let’s hear it for our dancers.”

Stefanson called the RWB an important local institution, recognized internationally for artistic excellence, adding the organization’s capital campaign to create a state-of-the-art campus had already raised $15 million in private contributions. The provincial support would pave the way toward the ballet receiving matching federal support from Ottawa, the premier said.

The $30-million project is scheduled to be complete by 2024.

“This project will greatly support the goal of a healthy and vibrant downtown in our capital city, especially as we reopen our province and move toward recovery (from the COVID-19 pandemic),” Stefanson said. “Manitoba’s arts and cultural organizations play a significant role in the health and well-being of all Manitobans.”

RWB artistic director and CEO André Lewis then rushed up to introduce Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage Andrew Smith. But first, he had to give the students some artistic direction.

“Relax your pose,” Lewis said, smiling, and all at once, the students loosened up.

Smith complimented the performers and students, and echoed Stefanson’s comments, remarking the three-minute opening to the day’s program was “probably the first live performance” he’d seen since before the pandemic began.

Lewis called the province’s financial support “incredible,” before once again ceding the spotlight to Stefanson for questions from reporters.

The premier was asked what other supports were expected for the arts and culture sector from the province moving forward.

“I think that what is important is that during this very difficult last couple of years, the arts and culture sector has been hit very hard. And today this is about recognition of that. The minister outlined some other supports we have already made in this area, and we will continue to do so,” Stefanson said.

There are “lots” of exciting announcements about arts and culture to come, she said, but did not offer any specifics.

The 51-year-old premier also looked back at her connections on the stage. “I used to be a Highland dancer, and I was actually a student at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet back in the day… My daughter actually was also a Highland dancer and was a student here… as well.”

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca