Art
Winnipeg art groups call for help from Ottawa
Arts organizations in Winnipeg were among the first to close when the pandemic hit, and now fear they may be the last to recover. They are turning to Ottawa for help.
This year, the Royal MTC brought one of Stephen Sondheim’s most popular musicals – Into the Woods – into Winnipeg. Despite this production and others, ticket sales have not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
“We are seeing softer audiences then we had pre-pandemic,” said Camilla Holland, the executive director at the Royal MTC. “We’re at about 80 per cent of the pre-pandemic audiences that we enjoyed.”
They are dancing to a similar tune at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
“We’re about 30 per cent lower than we were in the pre-COVID,” said Chris Turyk, the ballet’s managing director.
Prairie Theatre Exchange says its ticket sales are down 50 per cent from where they were pre-pandemic. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is hurting too.
“In our case it’s a hit of close to a million dollars if not a little bit more,” said Angela Birdsell, the executive director at the symphony.
Federal supports that were in place during the pandemic are gone.
“They ended with the idea that everything would sort of pop up back to normal,” Hollands said. “We’re not actually back to normal yet, it’s going to be a bit more bumpy.”
That’s why 20 performing arts organizations from across the prairie provinces have co-written a letter to the federal department of Canadian Heritage asking for help.
“We requested a meeting with Minister (Pablo) Rodriguez (Minister of Canadian Heritage) to say, ‘look – what can we do to help us sustain the next couple of years.'”
The organizations say the assistance would keep their heads above water and allow them to take artistic chances.
“Without that financial cushion or that financial certainty, it makes making those choices feel a lot riskier,” Turyk said.
Birdsell said the organizations want to get this on the government’s radar now so they’re able to make music instead of sounding alarm bells about their ability to make payroll.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra tells CTV News it believes recovery could take as long as five to seven years.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
France investigating disappearances of 2 Congolese Paralympic athletes
A linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
-
Sports24 hours agoCanada’s Stakusic, partner Savinykh lose in doubles quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
-
News4 hours ago
RCMP say 3 dead, suspects at large in targeted attack at home in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
News3 hours ago
B.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
-
News13 hours ago
Local Toronto business story – Events Industry : new national brand, Element Event Solutions
-
News14 hours ago
Reggie Bush was at his LA-area home when 3 male suspects attempted to break in
-
News4 hours ago
Nova Scotia adopts bill declaring domestic violence in the province an epidemic
-
News3 hours ago
Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
-
News14 hours ago
RBC names Katherine Gibson as permanent chief financial officer
