Manitoba Centennial Centre is an arts centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, it began as an urban renewal program in 1960. The Manitoba Centennial Centre, which includes Centennial Concert Hall, Manitoba Museum, Planetarium and Manitoba Theatre Centre represents the finest of Manitoba's cultural organizations. Each year, 930,000 patrons take in the entertainment at Manitoba Centennial Centre venues. The Corporation itself manages the Centennial Concert Hall, Manitoba Museum, Planetarium and Science Gallery, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre, Manitoba Production Centre, Artspace, three nearby surface parking lots, an underground parkade, and the building at 11 Lily Street.
History
Prior to the Manitoba Centennial Centre's opening, cultural events and displays were held at the Winnipeg Auditorium. Duff Roblin P.C. and Maitland B. Steinkopf MBE, QC formed the concept of a Centennial Centre in 1960 to commemorate Canada’s centenary and initiate a broad scheme of urban renewal in Winnipeg’s Point Douglas Area.
The Centre will grow and will serve succeeding generations in Manitoba as a permanent focus for the performing arts, the sciences and the cultures of the wide spectrum of our people.
In November 1964 plans were revealed for the development of the C$13.5 million Centennial Arts Centre. In July1965 a display model was revealed to the media and public, showing the current Centennial Concert Hall, Manitoba Museum and Planetarium, and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. The model was put inside Eaton's downtown department store. At the outset, the proposed development would have seen the demolition of the Confederation Life heritage building. Several hi-rise apartment buildings surround the site, as well as a park behind the Concert Hall. The original model is currently displayed in the basement of the Concert Hall. The Concert Hall opened first, followed by the Manitoba Planetarium, then the Manitoba Museum and finally the Manitoba Theatre Centre. In September 2017 a report was released on substantially upgrading all the venues of the Manitoba Centennial Centre.
Financing
The Province had saved up C$6.8 million for the project, of which $2.5 million came from its own funds, $2.5 million came from the federal government, and C$1.8 from the City of Winnipeg. In addition, all Manitoba municipalities were asked to donate 5 cents per citizen. In addition to government funding, a local fundraising campaign called The Manitoba Centennial Citizens’ Campaign was launched. This campaign sought private and corporate donations through various programs and collected close to $7 million to contribute to the project. It was estimated that the cost of the Concert Hall alone would be C$5 million.
Venues
Centennial Concert Hall
The Centennial Concert hall was opened on March 25, 1968. It seats 2,305 attendees and is the home of the Winnipeg Symphony, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Manitoba Opera. In 2015 the lighting system was replaced by LED-based system by ArcSystem. There are further plans to renovate the venue.
Manitoba Museum and Planetarium
The Manitoba Planetarium opened in 1968 as Winnipeg's first such planetarium. The Manitoba Museum opened in 1970 and features several galleries the HBC Gallery, the Winnipeg Gallery, and a Science Gallery. Future plans call for expanding the Science Gallery in a stand-alone building adjacent to the Museum. Alloway Hall is a space for formal functions and travelling museum displays.
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre opened on October 31, 1970. It is Canada's oldest English-language regional theatre and was given a Royal designation by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. It has a seating capacity of 785.
Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre
Artspace
In June 1984, the Core Area Initiative gave Artspace Inc. time to determine whether the former Gault building would be suitable for the various Winnipeg arts organizations. Artspace moved in 1986 to the old Gault Building in the Exchange District as a cooperatively run and government funded creative arts organization at a cost of C$2.8 million to renovate the building. Nineteen arts organizations were housed when Artspace opened, including Access and Main Gallery, Agassiz Productions, Canadian Book Information Centre, CARFAC Manitoba, Manitoba Association of Playwrights, Manitoba Composers Association, Manitoba Crafts Council, Manitoba Writers' Guild, Prairie Fire, Prairie Publishers Group, Video Pool, Visual Arts Manitoba Resource Centre, Winnipeg Film Group and Cinematheque, Winnipeg Periodicals Association, Winnipeg Photographers Group, Turnstone Press, Moosehead Press, North Nassau Printmakers. The Winnipeg Film Group opened Cinematheque, a small film venue in February 1987.
Manitoba Production Centre
The Manitoba Production Centre is a studio space used for film and television productions. It is located in the Exchange District of Winnipeg.
Murals
Prominent Canadian artists were selected to capture the spirit of the Centennial Concert Hall. There is a mural by artist Greta Dale in the lobby. Two murals by artist Tony Tascona are featured on the orchestra level on both the left and right sides.
