Investing in Barrie's Arts Sector

Government of Canada provides financial support to Talk Is Free Theatre


BARRIE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 19, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament (Barrie), on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover, today announced $35,500 in funding to Talk Is Free Theatre for the "Creative Trust Barrie" project.

This joint initiative will allow Talk Is Free Theatre to work in partnership with Theatre by the Bay and the Barrie Film Festival to develop stronger planning and financial skills by finding innovative ways to increase their resources and revenues.

The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. This component provides funding for projects supported by multiple partners and benefitting many organizations. These initiatives help arts and heritage organizations diversify their revenue streams and strengthen the efficiency of their management and business practices.

Quick Facts

  • Talk Is Free Theatre was founded in 2002 by artistic producer Arkady Spivak; since then, it has produced 60 productions.

  • Theatre by the Bay was founded by Larissa Mair and Nick Baillie to bring professional-calibre works of theatre to the city of Barrie. In 2002, Theatre by the Bay enticed over 10,000 people from across central Ontario, Canada, and the United States to enjoy Romeo and Juliet and a Young Company musical, Treasure Island.

  • The Barrie Film Festival began as a small group interested in film that organized film screenings as a project of a local gallery and, over the years, has become a Barrie-based celebration of film.

  • Since 2010, 46 partnership-based projects have been funded through the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, for a total investment of more than $12 million.

Quotes

"A theatre is a gathering place that defines our communities. We are proud to support this initiative with our partners: Talk is Free Theatre, Theatre by the Bay, and the Barrie Film Festival."

-Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament (Barrie)

"Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to supporting organizations that enrich their community's cultural life and also strengthen its economy. We are pleased to contribute to the success of Barrie's vibrant cultural scene."

-Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"On behalf of my colleagues at Theatre by the Bay and the Barrie Film Festival we are delighted to be awarded this funding. We look forward to sharing the results of our innovative project with the broader community."

-Arkady Spivak, Founder and Artistic Director, Talk Is Free Theatre

"We at Theatre by the Bay are so grateful to be a part of this initiative. We thank Patrick Brown and the federal government for their tremendous support. We look forward to working closely with Talk Is Free Theatre and the Barrie Film Festival to put the 'Creative Trust Barrie' into action."

-Nick Baillie, Co-Founder, Theatre by the Bay

Associated Links

Strategic Initiatives

Canada Cultural Investment Fund

Talk Is Free Theatre

Theatre by the Bay

Barrie Film Festival

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Contact Information:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian
Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca