FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MARCH 28th, 2011

THE MATCHBOX THEATRE TO CLOSE ITS DOORS MAY 27TH, 2011

RED DEER – The Matchbox Theatre, host to more than 400 events throughout the past four years, will be closing its doors on May 27th, following Ignition Theatre’s final performance of [title of show].

“The Matchbox Theatre foundation was unable to secure any municipal, provincial or federal operating support and while patronage has been healthy and supportive, the realities of running a performing arts facility without grant support are such that we are left with little option but to close.” – Cindy Ridge, President, The Matchbox Theatre Foundation.

Home to resident professional theatre company Ignition Theatre and having hosted Juno, Grammy and Tony Nominated performers from across North America, The Matchbox is widely known as Central Alberta’s Hottest Performance Venue, and more importantly, an organization dedicated to fostering the growth of art and culture in Central Alberta and the support of emerging talent from across the province.

“Four years ago we chose to take on the responsibility to provide Central Alberta audiences with cultural opportunities that may not have otherwise been available to them. From Ian Tyson to Memeza Africa, International Film Festivals to those of the film program at Red Deer College, or even the incredible work of our own Ignition Theatre, we are proud to say that we exceeded our own expectations. While this is an incredibly difficult time for everyone that has been a part of our success, we will continue to strive for cultural excellence in other capacities.” – Stephen Ridge, Vice President, The Matchbox Theatre Foundation.

Furthermore, The Matchbox Theatre Foundation and Ignition Theatre have employed more than 200 emerging artists in all artistic disciplines in addition to working with some of North America’s premiere established talent.

“Truthfully, we’re all devastated; those of us who work at The Matchbox on a daily basis and the artists who come and go throughout the seasons. It’s incredibly difficult to witness the growth in audiences, the success of our productions, the genuinely incredible feedback we’ve received – just to see it all disappear due to funding issues. Not only do I believe this is a significant loss for the artists who work with The Matchbox, it’s a loss for our audiences and for the city of Red Deer.”  – Matt Grue, General Manager, The Matchbox.

Ignition Theatre, The Matchbox’s resident professional theatre company, will continue to produce through the 2011/2012 season. They are in final negotiations on an exciting new partnership and will release details to the public as they become available.
“While we feel as though we are making the responsible decision to close our doors, we are clinging to the hope that a miracle will come to fruition and save our theatre. We have been actively communicating with the corporate community as well as continuing to apply for government funding.” – Cindy Ridge

Despite the closure, The Matchbox Theatre Foundation will continue to operate and generate interest in the development of a future space.

“Our work, based on the response of our patrons and artists, is too important to let dissolve into nothing. We will take some time to re-charge our batteries and then get back to work to continue to fulfill the goals we set for ourselves four years ago. We are committed to this community and to the art. This will not be the last we’re heard of.” – Stephen Ridge.

For further information or to offer support, the public is welcome to contact General Manager,  Matt Grue, directly. By phone, 403.341.6500 or email thematchbox@telus.net.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Stephen Ridge, Vice President – The Matchbox Theatre Foundation Ph: 403.341.6500 or 403.352.1422 Email: ridgesg@telus.net

ANTYX Community Arts: All Nations Theatre/Urban Youth Worx New Identity

On January 1, 2010, two Calgary community arts companies, All Nations Theatre and Urban Youth Worx, merged to form a larger community arts organization. All Nations Theatre has worked in Calgary since 1992 engaging youth in participatory theatre projects that explored issues identified by youth. Founded in 1998 Urban Youth Worx has supported the development of Arts Based community development projects across Calgary.

      Today, we are pleased to introduce our new organizational brand.

      All Nations Theatre/Urban Youth Worx will now be known as Antyx Community Arts Society.

      The consolidation of All Nations Theatre and Urban Youth Worx has created tremendous opportunities to engage youth, communities, and organizations in using the arts to explore important issues and make positive changes. The Board and Staff of Antyx Community Arts are excited to become a greater creative resource for Calgary by continuing our work with current partners and creating new opportunities for youth and communities in Calgary.

      We will soon be sharing more news about Antyx, including the launch of a new website. If you would like more information about Antyx or have any questions about our changes please contact:

      Richard Campbell
      Executive Artistic Director
      (403) 261-5877
ead_ant@telus.net

      Or

      Alan Horn
      Community Engagement Coordinator
      (403) 717-2683
pcurbanyouthworx@gmail.com

March 15, 2011
The Canadian Conference of the Arts welcomes its 2011-2014 Board of Governors

Just the facts   

      The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) is pleased to announce the composition of its incoming 2011-2014 Board of Governors. Further to the elections that took place in early February and the March 9th meeting of the current board, the new Board of Governors will be comprised of:

        Amir Ali Alibhai (British Columbia) – Executive Director, Alliance for Arts & Culture
      Erika Beatty (Nova Scotia) – CEO, Symphony Nova Scotia
      Clothilde Cardinal (Quebec) – General and Artistic Co-director, Danse Danse
      Luc Fortin (Quebec) – President, Quebec Musicians’ Guild
      Ivan Habel (British Columbia) – General Manager, Belfry Theatre
      Skip Kutz (Saskatchewan) – Musician and Faculty member, University of Saskatchewan
      André Leclerc (Quebec) – Partner, Gagné Leclerc Groupe Conseil
      Nicole Matiation (Manitoba) – Executive Director, On Screen Manitoba
      Tom McFall (Alberta) – Executive Director, Alberta Craft Council
      George Murray (Newfoundland) – Poet and Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Cultural Industries
      Arden Ryshpan (Ontario) – Executive Director, Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
      Kathleen Sharpe (Ontario) – Executive Director, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
      Jason Van Eyk (Ontario) – Ontario Regional Director, Canadian Music Centre
      Denise Roy (Alberta) – Associate Dean, Grant MacEwan University

      You will find more information about each board member here. The new board will take its place after the Annual General Meeting of members, scheduled for June 21 in Ottawa. A formal notice about the AGM will be issued in the coming weeks.

      The CCA wishes to thank its outgoing board members: Liz Barron, Michel Beauchemin, Rose Bellosillo, Tim Borlase and Rudy Buttignol. Their commitment and integrity contributed to the reinvigoration of the CCA and the clarification of its mission. The CCA also wants to thank all the individuals who participated in the board renewal process and specifically those who agreed to be candidates in the recent election.

Tell me more

        The CCA’s Board of Governors is composed of a minimum of 12 members and a maximum of 14, including the Past President. The CCA board renewal process takes place every three years and follows a two-step process. First, CCA members were asked to cast their vote for eight candidates out of a slate of sixteen put forward by the CCA Nominating Committee, chaired by the Past President. The eight candidates with the most votes are elected for a three-year mandate, renewable once. This year, the ballot took place between February 1 and 11.

      Based on the results of the election, the current board was then asked to appoint four additional members from a list of eight names put forward once again by the Nominating Committee to complement the new board, taking into account considerations such as geographical representation, arts discipline, cultural community, etc. Appointed members have a two-year mandate renewable twice.

        The CCA’s new President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer will be elected by the new board at its first meeting in June.

      The current Board of Governors of the CCA is as follows:

        Amir Ali Alibhai (British Columbia) – Executive Director, Alliance for Arts & Culture
        Liz Barron (Manitoba) – Arts consultant
      Erika Beatty (Nova Scotia) – CEO, Symphony Nova Scotia
      Michel Beauchemin (Quebec) – Executive Director, Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec
      Tim Borlase (New Brunswick) – Arts educator
      Rose Bellosillo (Ontario) – Director of Development, Hot Docs
      Luc Fortin (Quebec) – President, Quebec Musicians’ Guild
      André Leclerc (Quebec) – Partner, Gagné Leclerc Groupe Conseil
      Tom McFall (Alberta) – Executive Director, Alberta Craft Council
      Arden Ryshpan (Ontario) – Executive Director, Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
      Kathleen Sharpe (Ontario) – Executive Director, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
      Jason Van Eyk (Ontario) – Ontario Regional Director, Canadian Music Centre
      Denise Roy (Alberta) – Associate Dean, Grant MacEwan University

        Canadian Conference of the Arts / Conférence canadienne des arts
        406 – 130, rue Slater Street
        Ottawa Ontario K1P 6E2
        Tel / Tél: (613) 238-3561
        Fax / Télécopieur: (613) 238-4849
info@ccarts.ca | www.ccarts.ca