On October 13, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the federal government was investing a combined $12.5 million to support the construction of Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury.

The cultural infrastructure funding will go towards the construction of the multi-use arts centre in downtown Sudbury, which will be a gathering place for the region’s Franco-Ontarian community, as well as the wider community.

The Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury will feature multiple performance spaces, a contemporary art gallery, three artists’ studios, a rehearsal and training space, workshop spaces, administrative spaces and two community meeting rooms. Residents and Sudbury visitors will be able to find performances, exhibitions, book launches, workshops and community gatherings at the centre.

“Our government knows that investments in arts and culture help build strong communities,” said Minister Joly, in a press release. “We are proud to support Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury, a space that provides access to a range of multi-disciplinary arts and cultural events for the region’s francophone community and the wider Sudbury community, while creating jobs and contributing to the local economy. This investment is part of our government’s commitment to promoting the vitality of official-language minority communities and ensuring that more Canadians have access to cultural institutions.”

The Government of Canada is providing cultural infrastructure funding of $9.5 million through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, which supports the improvement of physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation, as well as the improvement, renovation and construction of arts and heritage facilities, and the acquisition of specialized equipment. The Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), the Canadian government’s economic development organization that is working with businesses and community partners for a stronger Northern Ontario, is providing $3 million.