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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.


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