Canada's arts and culture sector weaves the rich tapestry of our nation's diversity, nurturing spaces where varied voices, stories, creative processes and leadership have the chance to grow, develop and prosper.
Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville), announced an investment of $95,000 in the Ruby Slippers Production Society. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
Funding is provided through the Projects component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, as part of the Anti-Racism Call for Proposals. It will support the Ruby Slippers Production Society's Advance Theatre Pipeline Development Process. This year-long initiative is designed to provide leadership and creative development opportunities to equity-deserving theatre artists. Through mentorship, workshops, professional networking and an Artist-in-Residency program, the project will help racialized and underrepresented artists deepen their experience in areas such as writing, directing, production and curation.
The project will also include the Advance Theatre Festival and Advance Theatre Cultural Development program, offering script development, staged readings and community engagement opportunities. The initiative will culminate in a premiere professional production of new work by participating artists.
By introducing inclusive workplace practices that are developed by and for equity-deserving artists, the Pipeline will support individual career growth and contribute to a stronger, more representative Canadian theatre ecosystem.
