NEWS RELEASE
MAGNUS THEATRE
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THUNDER BAY – Magnus Theatre is pleased to announce that the theatre received a $217,400 grant from the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund – Operating stream in 2021. This grant, delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, will enable Magnus Theatre to continue operating and delivering artistic programming to Northwestern Ontario by supporting salaries and operating expenses during reopening.
“I am happy to see Magnus Theatre receive this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North. “This funding will help enhance the virtual delivery of services and programming, which has been vital during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Arts Sector, through organizations like Magnus Theatre, provides significant economic benefits to our province.”
In addition to supporting salaries and operating expenses, this grant also enables Magnus Theatre to enhance its technology and expand its digital programming streams, with a particular focus on the virtual delivery of education programs across the region.
“We are very grateful to receive this funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Magnus Theatre Artistic Director Thom Currie. “It will certainly strengthen Magnus Theatre’s ability to share the stories of Canadian artists and to continue fulfilling our mandate to serve diverse communities across Northwestern Ontario.”
The Canadian performing arts sector was particularly hard hit during the pandemic closures and public gathering restrictions. Magnus Theatre was one of the only professional theatres in the country to successfully stage a full-scale professional production indoors in autumn 2020, albeit to a significantly reduced audience capacity. The theatre also piloted delivery of its Theatre for Young Audiences tour virtually last spring, reaching over 14,000 primary and secondary school students across Ontario with three engaging and socially relevant plays for young people.
