LAVAL, Quebec, January 11, 2019
Canadian artists and creators help different audiences discover the world through art. By providing financial support to arts presenters, the Government of Canada helps create jobs, boost the economy and promote access to the performing arts in communities.
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, today announced $120,000 in funding over four years for La Rencontre Théâtre Ados.
Presented in the spring, the RTA festival is the largest youth theatre showcase in Canada. La Rencontre Théâtre Ados also carries out many cultural outreach activities throughout the year and spearheads Quebec's largest improvisation league for high school students.
This support, provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, will allow La Rencontre Théâtre Ados to present theatre productions for youth over the next four years.
"Whether it's a means of expression or education, art has definite benefits for the young Canadians who are forging their identities. By facilitating access to art, presenters like La Rencontre Théâtre Ados give young people the opportunity to enjoy positive and participatory artistic experiences. Our government is proud to support La Rencontre Théâtre Ados and to help promote youth theatre."
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
"A leader in cultural outreach and firmly rooted in its community, La Rencontre Théâtre Ados commends the involvement of Canadian Heritage, which has financially supported the organization since 2008. This multi-year funding, which is essential for our development, will encourage artistic exchanges between Canadian artists and high school students."
—Sylvie Lessard, Managing and Artistic Director of La Rencontre Théâtre Ados
Quick facts
La Rencontre Théâtre Ados, founded in 1996, presents the Rencontre Théâtre Ados (RTA) festival each year. The specialized presenter's mission is to support, promote and present professional, original theatre productions for youth aged 12 to 17 and to nurture young people's passion for theatre.
The multi-year funding of $120,000 will contribute directly to festival activities until 2022. The programming for the next four editions of the festival (2019 to 2022) will include 10 theatre productions, 200 outreach sessions in schools, information days for teachers, exploratory workshops and creation projects.
The festival's 2019 edition will run from March 25 to April 13. A total of 72,000 people are expected to attend the next four editions of the festival.
Each year, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund supports 650 professional arts festivals and performing arts series, as well as other activities related to arts presentation, in more than 250 communities across Canada.
