FedDev Ontario is investing $11.3 million dollars in tourism ventures in Stratford and surrounding areas including $10 million for the Stratford Festival.
The minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Helena Jaczek, announced the funding Tuesday at the Stratford Festival's new Tom Patterson Theatre.
Artistic director Antoni Cimolino thanked the government for its support saying there were times during the pandemic they wondered if the theatre would survive. He says people need art and to come together after two years of isolating.
"This spring has been remarkable to sit in those theatres and to experience having people come together again - laughing, being moved to tears, sharing experiences together," Cimolino said. "It proves the importance of the arts, especially the performing arts, and especially theatre."
Cimolino says the funding is allowing them to have 10 productions and run from April through to October.
"It's a big season!" he exclaimed. "Not as big as what we had planned for 2020, admittedly, but it is of the large scale and scope that the Stratford Festival is famous for."
This season's performances include Hamlet, Chicago, and Little Women. Cimolino spoke about the theatre's role as an economic driver for the community and said it is something they take very seriously.
"We estimate that we will attract in this season 320,000 people to Stratford and this will generate spending in the community of more than $90 millions And that's the beginning of a recovery."
Seven other tourism projects will share $1.3 million including the Little Prince Cinema and the Stratford Perth Museum.
