It's a matter of a lot of money, sure, but it's more like a matter of time. So says Paul Freeman, the artistic director at Edmonton's Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, regarding the seemingly high dollar figure that the cultural development facility must come up with for an impending deadline.
"We have a mortgage with the city and every so often we have bulk balloon payments to make," he explained with a certain amount of confidence in his voice.
The Nina, as it's called, is working to procure $250,000 in funding in order to meet a regular loan payment due on November 30. It's a staggering figure but it's all in the game plan. After all, the place has a wide network of fans, friends and supporters, all of whom are being called upon through the Keep the Love Alive campaign to chip in to help keep things running smoothly.
The centre operates as a fully functioning studio, offering not only space and opportunity but also ample resources to adults with developmental disabilities who are working to develop their creative selves through painting, drawing, dancing, sculpting and pottery, and printmaking. Helping them through their artistic practice are some highly skilled art leaders including local artist Brenda Kim Christiansen. There is no formal teaching taking place, rather self-directed explorations with some knowledgeable guides.
There are more than 160 artists at work at the facility every week, many going on to show their work in exhibitions at the centre's own Stollery Gallery and elsewhere, even across Canada and around the world.
The centre's new location opened only four years ago this month after serving its clients since 2003 on 97 Street and 111 Avenue. The new Nina only came to be with the help of funding assistance from the City of Edmonton and the provincial government.
This year, the mortgage payment is actually for $500,000 and the Nina is three-quarters of the way towards meeting that goal. To help them out, the Stollery Charitable Foundation has offered to match any donations received by that date up to $125,000.
Freeman calls it an "inherently contradictory message" that the centre is "strong and vibrant, and in desperate need of $500,000." Still, he feels quite comfortable in his prediction that the payment will be met in full.
"These are $500,000 that we don't have. We have to raise it in the community. We're definitely still looking for support and working on finishing this off. It's been 10 years now of working with a really great idea and not enough resources, and we always find the resources that we need. I know we're going to make it. We will make our final payment in November."
Fundraising events
There are always things going on at the Nina. Freeman says that there are some unique cultural experiences happening that will enrich the public and help out the centre's fundraising campaign at the same time.
Currently, Workshop West is hosting the world premiere of acclaimed Edmonton-born playwright Brad Fraser's newest work called Kill Me Now. It's about a widowed father taking care of his disabled teenaged son and focuses on themes of mortality, love and sacrifice.
It's on until September 22 at La Cité Francophone, 8627 91 Street. Tickets range from $11 to $28 and can be obtained through Tix on the Square (780-420-1757/www.tixonthesquare.ca). All proceeds go to support the Keep the Love Alive effort.
Canadian songstress Jane Siberry will also be hosting a once in a lifetime concert at the Nina on Friday, November 8. She will perform an evening of songs about the beauty of being alive on planet Earth. Tickets are $125.
