Financial shortfall forces Virtuosi Concerts to shutter

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This article was published 18/06/2025 (290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At a special meeting of its membership on June 16, Virtuosi Concerts passed a resolution to dissolve its organization, transferring all assets to the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg.

A chamber music and recital series, Virtuosi Concerts was founded in 1991. It evolved from the Skywalk Concerts series at the Millennium Library, which was a brainchild of University of Winnipeg professor Dr. Harry Strub. It found a new home with the opening of Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall at the University of Winnipeg in 1993.

After losing operational funding and venue access from the U of W in 2020, Virtuosi Concerts became an independent charitable organization; unsuccessful bids for 2024-25 operational grants from government sources resulted in an insurmountable shortfall.

Virtuosi Concerts board chairwoman Heidi Reimer-Epp will take a seat on the board for the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg overseeing the transfer of assets.

“We are deeply grateful for every moment, every ticket purchased, every hour volunteered,” Reimer-Epps said in a statement. “This closing chapter is a signal to our community to ensure we do not take our arts and culture for granted. And we invite you to shift your support to the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg as season subscribers, ticket holders, donors and supporters.”