FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE

SPONSORS

The Firehall Arts Centre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, The Department of Canadian Heritage, The City of Vancouver, The B.C. Gaming Commission, The Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation, The Hamber Foundation, Imperial Arts Council, Vancouver Foundation, Telus Community Foundation, and B.C. Hydro and our many loyal patrons and donors.

MAKE A STATEMENT

With a $200 tax deductible donation, your name will be placed on a seat in the Firehall Arts Centre theatre. Mark your support and on-going commitment to the most diverse and dynamic venue in town. There are only 130 seats available and we want to add your name to our list of contributors. All proceeds go to the ongoing maintenance, operation and animation of the Firehall Arts Centre facilitating the development of artistic endeavours.

Dear Arts Enthusiast,

The Firehall Theatre Society has operated the Firehall Arts Centre as a performing and visual arts venue in this troubled area since 1982. We have watched the continued deterioration of the neighbourhood and have attempted to respond to it through our programming initiatives. Considerable documentation exists confirming that Inner City arts and cultural programs in Great Britain and the United States have played and continue to play an important role in revitalizing and restoring the health of neighbourhoods in crisis. Our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers are determined to assist in creating positive change within our neighbourhood. We regularly provide opportunities for low income residents to attend performances through our pay-what-u-can and free ticket program while allowing social service organizations to access free or minimally priced tickets for their clients. We have initiated a number of community arts programs such as our Downtown Eastside Women's Writers Group, an Aboriginal Youth Courtyard Arts Project, and a Community Musicians in the Courtyard program. Through these types of programs we have assisted participants in developing life skills and greater self-esteem and self-confidence.

We wish to continue to work in the Downtown Eastside and participate in restoring our city's pride in its historic centre. Although our organization continues to be one of the stable businesses in the neighbourhood it has become increasingly difficult to encourage audiences to attend our many and varied high quality productions and presentations. This has affected both our earned revenues as well as having a negative affect on neighbouring restaurants and businesses. Additional security and the increased publicity and marketing expenses required to offset negative press and perception of the area have placed increased strain on the Society's budget.

We need the business community's help in order to continue both our community and professional arts programs here at the Firehall. Both types of programming have provided positive contributions to the neighbourhood for almost twenty years and their impact and outreach will grow with your support. We are asking you to to consider making a donation towards this cause. Of course, all donations large and small will be gratefully accepted and invested in our public programming initiatives. Donations are tax deductible as the Firehall is a registered non-profit charitable organization and will be acknowledged in our programs and newsletters.

Thank you for your consideration. For more information please contact the Firehall Arts Centre by email at firehall@firehallartscentre.ca or by phone at 604-689-0691.

Yours sincerely,
Donna M. Spencer,
Artistic Producer