Associated Theaters (TAI) brings together 11 key French-speaking theater institutions in the Quebec cultural landscape. Our theaters welcome more than 600,000 spectators annually, or more than 54% of Quebec’s theater clientele.
Following the announcement of the provincial budget, disappointing for the performing arts, we express our deep concern at a time when the needs are great so that we can preserve the vitality and sustainability of the Quebec theater sector and the accessibility of theaters. show for citizens.
Indeed, despite inflation of 21% since their last allocation of credits, 600 organizations will have to share $7.05 million per year, which represents an increase of only 7% over seven years, in contrast to the increase in 40% of the minimum wage over the same period.
This lack of adequate budgetary adjustment means a reduction in real funding available to organizations, which plunges them into a structural deficit which compromises their ability to operate and greatly insecure the thousands of artists and workers hired annually. As for organizations that do not benefit from operating support, they will have access to a so-called “project” envelope which has simply not been increased.
It has been proven time and time again that investing in the arts contributes to the quality of life of citizens and to the state’s coffers. These ideological decisions raise fundamental questions about the importance of culture and artists for the Quebec government.
The theater sector, already weakened by the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, now finds itself grappling with a new threat to its survival. Operating costs are rising and artists and cultural workers are struggling to survive.
Defending at least the indexation of the budget of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) year after year becomes exhausting for the performing arts community, which is already struggling to function with its basic resources. It is essential to recognize the importance of theater and performing arts in Quebec culture and economy.
This budget was a pivotal step for our organizations which are awaiting confirmation of their support from the CALQ for the next four years. As members of the theater community, we urge the government to restore adequate funding to the CALQ and index it for the years to come so that this state corporation can play the role for which it was founded.
* Co-signed this letter: Claudine Khelil, general director of Associated Theaters (TAI); Olivier Arteau, co-general director and artistic director of the Théâtre du Trident; Lorraine Pintal, co-general and artistic director of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde; Catherine Vidal, artistic and general co-director of the Théâtre de Quat’Sous; Xavier Inchauspé, co-artistic and general director of the Théâtre de Quat’Sous; Édith Patenaude, co-general director and artistic director of Espace Go, Mayi-Eder Inchauspé, co-general director and administrative director of Espace Go; Philippe Lambert, artistic and general director of Théâtre La Licorne; Danièle Drolet, executive director of Théâtre La Licorne; Céline Marcotte, general director of the Théâtre du Rideau vert; Denise Filiatrault, artistic director of the Théâtre du Rideau vert; Amélie Duceppe, general manager of Duceppe; David Laurin, co-artistic director of Duceppe; Jean-Simon Traversy, co-artistic director of Duceppe; Stéphanie Laurin, general director at Théâtre Denise-Pelletier; Claude Poissant, artistic director of the Théâtre Denise-Pelletier; Etienne Langlois, co-general director and administrative director of the Center du Théâtre d’heure; Sylvain Bélanger, co-general director and artistic director of the Center du Théâtre d’heure; Vincent de Repentigny, co-general director of the Théâtre Prospero; Philippe Cyr, artistic director and co-general director of the Théâtre Prospero; Michel Nadeau, co-general and artistic director of Théâtre La Bordée; Rosie Belley, co-general director and administrative director of Théâtre La Bordée.