Winnipeg — The Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) will receive accessibility and environmental upgrades after an investment of more than $1.3 million from the federal government. Announced by Minister Dan Vandal, and Suzanne Munroe, MTYP Board Chair, this project will provide a more inclusive and sustainable space for the community to gather and express their creativity.
The funding will help provide barrier-free access to backstage and studio spaces, as well as public washroom modifications. Audiences, including neuro-diverse children, will also be able to enjoy the shows from a welcoming space with the redevelopment of the quiet room.
The project also includes renovations that will make the theatre a greener and more energy-efficient space. These include replacing the original roof and windows and updating overhead lighting with new LED technology as well as replacing the aging HVAC system. Once complete, improvements are expected to reduce the facility’s energy consumption by an estimated 81.7 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 288 tonnes annually.
MTYP has been creating and presenting professional theatre productions for children and families since 1982, and has grown to become one of the most respected professional theatre companies in Canada. The facility also houses the MTYP School, that delivers theatre-in-education programs to over 1,500 children every year. It is also home to Native Youth Theatre, an educational program that offers free classes to Winnipeg’s Indigenous youth, directed and delivered by Indigenous artists.
“This theatre is a vital space for Winnipeggers. In the heart of the Forks, this arts and cultural institution will now be more accessible and make use of innovative, green infrastructure solutions. These improvements to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People will provide children and guests of all ages with a modern facility where they can gather and express themselves while enjoying one of Manitoba’s enriching cultural experiences.” – Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“These projects will improve and modernize MTYP’s facility that has served as our home since 1999. This incredible building annually welcomes tens of thousands of children and youth, and the adults who care for them, to experience and participate in theatre and the arts. Thousands more enjoy these spaces thanks to the events and festivals held here by others in our community. Given the facility’s position as a cultural hub, it is important that we reinvest in its infrastructure so it can serve us well for decades to come. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for contributing to the initiatives within our capital improvement plans that will enhance greening outcomes and create even more accessibility for the staff, artists, volunteers, and of course, the children, families and educators we serve.” – Suzanne Munroe, MTYP Board Chair