USINE C was honoured to receive the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, who announced at a press conference financial support of $1,504,556 for the construction of a renovation of the building, halls and equipment.
This work, with a total cost of $5,600,000, is made possible by the financial support of the Government of Canada, as announced, and the support of the Government of Quebec to the tune of $3,875,500 and that of Usine C through a major fundraising campaign amounting to $300,000.
After co-founding Espace Libre in 1980, it was in 1995 that the Carbone 14 theatre company inaugurated the Usine C centre de création et de diffusion dédié à la création contemporaine nationale et internationale. The renovation of the former Raymond factories by the architects Saucier and Perrotte will have saved an important piece of the industrial heritage of the South Central district with its fireplace topped by the work of sculptor Richard Purdy and its typical footbridge that spans Lalonde Street.
Usine C is pleased to lead this new project with the same architects imbued with the spirit of this building which won many prestigious architectural awards upon its inauguration.
In addition to the renovations and standards required after 25 years without any updates, this work will allow them to create a new rehearsal room on the 4th floor of the building to meet the critical needs of companies and artists in research and creation residency.
In addition, $1 million will be spent on the acquisition of state-of-the-art technical equipment to meet the needs of theatre companies and also allow them to adapt to new virtual distribution avenues accelerated by the pandemic.
The reception areas, exhibition hall, café, toilets, will be improved to offer even more comfort to the public.
The essence of the concept of variable geometry rooms, which has proved so valuable to designers and artists to develop innovative sets and question the relationship between stage and room, which today, in times of pandemic, proves to be a most valuable asset, will be preserved.
“The valuable contributions of Canadian Heritage and the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications will allow Usine C to take advantage of the pause imposed by the pandemic to get a new look with the aide of renowned architects Saucier-Perrotte in order to improve the space reserved for artists and the public beginning in January 2021” -Danièle de Fontenay, co-founder, executive director and artistic director of USINE C.
“Usine C, in entrusting us with this mandate, recognizes the importance of the architectural work giving us the opportunity to continue this research begun in 1995!” said Gilles Saucier, architect of the place described at the time by journalist Jean Beaunoyer as a “true work of art, a theatrical place that places Montreal among the great theatre capitals of the world.”
The season celebrating thee 25th anniversary of USINE C promises to be as passionate and exciting as ever, mixing audacity and creation in their finest demonstration. The 2021 season will be announced in the coming weeks.
We look forward to seeing you again in January 2021 to welcome you and introduce you to this new setting.
