Theatre Aquarius Invests in New Technological Infrastructure Thanks to $100,000 in Provincial Funding

Hamilton, ON – On Tuesday March 5, the team at Theatre Aquarius will celebrate the $100,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to improve the technological infrastructure at Theatre Aquarius.

“Theatre Aquarius is an iconic facility that delivers enriching art experiences that make a difference to the people of Hamilton,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “That’s why funding that my ministry is providing through the OTF is so important. Our government wants to ensure that arts organizations and artists continue to be recognized for the valuable contributions they make to the quality of life in our province’s communities.”

“Congratulations to Theatre Aquarius for receiving their grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Theatre Aquarius has been a staple in our Hamilton community since its founding in 1973,” said Sarah Jama, MPP for Hamilton Centre. “Making the theatre accessible to all audiences while encouraging young people to develop a life-long love and appreciation for the arts is essential for a thriving community. May Theatre Aquarius continue to entertain and inspire Hamiltonians through dramatic arts for years to come.”

The project has helped the organization recover and rebuild post-pandemic by updating technological infrastructure including purchasing new computers, phones, ticket scanners and updating software by moving to cloud-based systems. These enhancements are expected to help safeguard the Theatre from any further disruptions to its operations.

“The pandemic revealed that we were unprepared for changes from a technology standpoint,” says Theatre Aquarius’ Executive Director Kelly Straughan, “The grant from OTFs Resilient Communities Fund has truly made our organization more resilient and ready for any future challenges.”

Theatre Aquarius is Hamilton’s only professional theatre with 6 Mainstage productions a season that entertain, enlighten, invigorate, and challenge our audiences. Theatre Aquarius owns and manages the building at 190 King William Street which houses a fully equipped 700 seat theatre and the 125 seat Norman and Louise Haac Studio Theatre.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

For more information, please contact:
Neal Miller
Director of Marketing and Communications
nmiller@theatreaquarius.org
905-522-7815 ext. 235