Official opening of the Wilder Building Espace Danse in Montreal

MONTREAL, Sept. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Located in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the Wilder Building creates new synergy in the dance community housing four organizations with a focus on the creative and performing arts: Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Tangente, Agora de la danse, and École de danse contemporaine de Montréal.

In addition to numerous dance studios and performance spaces, the building features a large atrium where public and private events can be held. The offices of the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) are also located here.

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Luc Fortin, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, officially opened Espace Danse in the Wilder Building today, along with Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, and Constance V. Pathy, President of the Board of Directors of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal.

Quotes

"Cultural infrastructure helps communities reconnect with their local artistic heritage and history. The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in public infrastructure, including funding for projects such as the Espace Danse in the Wilder Building, support community development, while creating good jobs that help grow the middle class."

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"I am very pleased that we are able to offer this revamped space to artists and to dance enthusiasts. With their new premises, the organizations will be better able to fulfil their mission of training, experimentation and innovation which are vital links in the dance and cultural sector in Montreal and the province of Quebec. In addition, 400 cultural professionals will come to work there daily."

Luc Fortin, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language

"I am very proud to be inaugurating a cultural space in this heritage building that was witness to the industrial boom that characterized the city at the beginning of the 20^th century. The inauguration of the Wilder Espace Danse marks the arrival of four major cultural dance institutions in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, a cultural hub and destination of international calibre."

Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal

"A new era has begun for Les Grands Ballets. It can now count on an exceptional place, dedicated to dance. Dynamic and accessible to all; what a beautiful tribute to all the dancers, artists and all those who have worked to make Les Grands Ballets the great institution it is today!"

Constance V. Pathy, C.M., C.Q., DMUS., President of the Board of Directors of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal

Quick Facts

• Moving the department's staff in Montréal, those of the CALQ and those of the Wilder Building Espace Dance, has allowed for the regrouping of these cultural authorities at the heart of the action in the Quartier des spectacles.
• Prior to moving into the Wilder Building, the dance organizations had to deal with space that did not meet existing professional standards and didn't support their development.  
• The governments of Canada and Quebec contributed funding to the project through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component. A major fundraising event is also conducted jointly by the four dance organizations, chaired by Danièle Henkel.
• The Wilder Building Espace Danse is located in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles in Montreal, where the Government of Quebec has already invested close to $600 million in the implementation of the Montréal Cultural Metropolis 2007-2017 Action Plan.

Associated Links

Federal investments in Quebec infrastructure projects:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/bcf-fcc-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; Karl Filion, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Tel.: [phone]; Marc-André Gosselin, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee, Tel.: [phone]; Sheila Skaiem, Head of public relations and media, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, [email protected], Tel.: [phone], ext. 239; Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Annie LeGruiec, Media Relations, Ministry of Culture and Communications, Tel.: [phone], ext. 7213

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/