Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
May 7, 2010
Bonavista's Garrick Theatre Leverages Culture to Target New Business
Opportunities
Focused on expanding its product
offering, the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation Inc. is securing
the necessary professional services to administer a year-round cinematic
and theatrical program at the Garrick Theatre with support from the
Provincial Government.
The investment of $38,333, through the Workplace Skills Enhancement
Program, brings the Provincial Government's total investment in the
Garrick Theatre — one of Newfoundland and Labrador's oldest surviving
theatres — to more than $400,000.
"Culture can translate into new business opportunities," said the
Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development. "Initiatives of the Garrick Theatre reflect this thinking.
It is actively exploring measures to leverage its long history of
entertaining local audiences to generate new business opportunities and
revenue streams."
"Through the work of the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation the
Garrick Theatre has emerged as a successful example of a social
enterprise — it is balancing its cultural and business objectives for
the benefit of the community and surrounding region," added Minister
Skinner.
The year-round cinematic and theatrical program will be administered by
a new general manager and assistant manager-technical director. These
highly-qualified individuals will balance a cinematic program, operating
four days per week, with live theatrical performances of local and
visiting artists running throughout the year.
"The financial support under the Workplace Skills Enhancement Program
will allow the theatre to employ a general manager and assistant manager
on a full-time basis who will be responsible for building the business,"
said David Bradley, Chair, Bonavista Historical Townscape Foundation.
"The objective is to have the Garrick professionally managed on a
full-time, year-round basis which is essential to the theatre's
success."
Established in 1998, the foundation was established by the Bonavista
Historical Society, in co-operation with the Town of Bonavista and other
community groups to protect, develop, and manage the area's heritage
resources.
"In partnership with the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation, the
restoration of the performance theatre and expansion of its product
offering complement other popular tourism operations in the region,"
said Roger Fitzgerald, MHA, Bonavista South. "By taking steps to employ
the necessary staff to increase the theatre's capacity, a wider customer
base and theatrical performances will be attracted to the area, giving
rise to new business opportunities."
Named after David Garrick, an 18th century pioneer of English theatre,
the Garrick Theatre opened to the public on Christmas Day, 1945. Built
by 21-year-old John Bradley with the assistance of his father, F. Gordon
Bradley, it has been a popular entertainment venue and social centre for
generations of area residents.
For more information about events at the Garrick Theatre, visit
www.garricktheatre.ca.
This initiative was funded through the
Workplace Skills Enhancement Program. Administered by the Department of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, this program helps small and
medium-sized enterprises in strategic sectors acquire and increase the
skills of employees to enhance productivity and global competitiveness.
It is funded by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Market Agreement
and the Strategic Training and Transition Fund.
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Media contacts:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
David Bradley
Chair
Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation
709-737-8232
mhadavid@mun.ca
|
Donna Abbott
Executive Assistant for Roger Fitzgerald,
MHA, Bonavista South
709-729-1121
abbottd@gov.nl.ca |
|
2010 05 07
9:30 a.m. |