Friday, September 18, 2015
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ontario Celebrates Opening of New Arts and Culture Learning Space at Brock University
Province Supports Postsecondary Infrastructure in St. Catharines
Ontario is marking the opening of the new Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, a learning space at Brock University that will act as a cultural hub for students and the St. Catharines community.
The province supported the new facility that will house Brock's Departments of Dramatic Arts, Visual Arts, Music, and Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture, and includes:
- Space for more than 500 students, faculty and staff, including a state-of-the-art learning commons, a digital lecture hall, seminar rooms, and a lounge and study area
- Computer and digital media labs
- Music practice studios
- Photography studios and darkroom
- Drama studios and a costume shop
- Student art gallery.
Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan will help connect regions, develop new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for Ontarians by supporting critical infrastructure projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities all across the province.
Investing in modern and innovative postsecondary infrastructure is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
Quick Facts:
- In 2010, Ontario contributed $26.16 million to support Brock University’s new creative learning space.
- Since 2003, Ontario has provided approximately $2.3 billion in capital grants to universities and $1.2 billion to colleges.
- The province is increasing funding for maintenance of existing infrastructure at colleges and universities to $100 million annually by 2019-20 and beyond.
- Since 2003, the province has increased operational funding to post-secondary institutions by $2.2 billion, growing Brock University’s operating funding by 78 per cent.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Our government is proud to support this new, state-of-the-art creative learning space, which will help students develop the skills they need to get good jobs in Ontario’s cultural sector. Our province features the largest entertainment and creative cluster in Canada, and the young people learning here today will no doubt become a staple of our country’s cultural scene for years to come."
— Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
"Both Brock University and the City of St. Catharines will benefit from Ontario's $26.1 million investment in downtown St. Catharines, as well as from our government's ongoing support of the adjacent Performing Arts Centre. These investments will help transform our city centre into a cultural hub."
— Jim Bradley, MPP St. Catharines
"Brock undertook this project because it was part of a greater plan to transform downtown St. Catharines. The Ontario government saw an opportunity to support both excellence in education and economic renewal for an entire community. Their support was crucial to the project going forward, and enabled Brock's new arts school to become a reality and a key asset for the entire Niagara region."
— Jack Lightstone, President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University
Media Contact:
Belinda Bien
Minister’s Office, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
647 823-5489
belinda.bien@ontario.ca
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