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Quality of Life: Cultural Activities in Manitoba

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Arts & Cultural Advantages Culture Heritage and Tourism: Arts Branch: Cultural Industries Film & Cultural Activities: Winnipeg

Visual Art

There are over 60 art galleries in Manitoba, most of which are in Winnipeg. The largest of these is the Winnipeg Art Gallery, which features the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world and regularly features touring exhibitions from all over the globe. The exchange district in downtown Winnipeg houses several commercial and artist-run centres.

Dance

Manitoba is home to four internationally acclaimed professional dance companies. The world-renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet holds the distinction of being the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. Modern dance is created and performed by three modern dance companies: Ruth Cansfield Dance, TRIP Dance Company and Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers -- Canada’s oldest modern dance company. In addition to professional companies, Manitoba is home to numerous amateur and semi-professional ethnic dance ensembles – several of which have toured the globe.

Music

Live music in every genre can be enjoyed throughout the year in Manitoba. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra maintains an eclectic repertoire, grounded in classical symphonic works and complemented by a pops series, children’s concerts, and one of the most highly–respected festivals of new music in the world. Classical music is also presented by the Winnipeg Chamber Orchestra, the Manitoba Opera Association, Winnipeg Singers, the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir and others. Jazz can be heard in concert with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and in clubs throughout the city.

Major rock groups have performed in Winnipeg and the city was host to Canada’s Juno Awards in 2005 at the new MTS Centre. There are annual festivals throughout the province featuring jazz, rock, folk, country and other types of music. Founded in 1974, the Winnipeg Folk Festival has grown into one of the pre-eminent music festivals in the world, and a summer tradition for many throughout North America.

Theatre

Manitoba has a strong tradition of live theatre that dates back over 135 years. Winnipeg’s Le Cercle Molière is Canada’s oldest continuously active theatre company, and Manitoba Theatre Centre was Canada’s first English-speaking regional theatre company. MTC produces classic, contemporary and experimental works, and produces Winnipeg’s annual Fringe Festival, and the 20th Century Playwright’s Festival.

Other major theatre companies include Prairie Theatre Exchange and the Manitoba Theatre for Young People – both of which also operate theatre schools – and Rainbow Stage, Canada’s oldest active outdoor musical theatre. Numerous other professional theatre companies and some thirty community-theatre companies provide abundant opportunities to enjoy live theatre all year long.

Film

Film
In the last decade, the Manitoba motion picture industry has emerged as the fastest growing industry in the province. Every genre is produced here, including animation, documentaries, multi-media, made for television movies, television series and feature films. The NSI FilmExchange was retired in 2007. http://nsi-canada.ca/nsionlineshortfilmfestival/

Museums

There are approximately 160 museums throughout the province, with more than 40 in Winnipeg alone. Pioneer heritage, cultural and natural history, science, sports, agriculture, clothing, mining, and aviation are among the themes around which museums have been developed.
Association of Manitoba Museums: www.museumsmanitoba.com/dir/alpha.html

One of the finest interpretive museums in Canada, the Manitoba Museum is the province’s largest heritage centre. The Manitoba Children's Museum -- -- one of only seven children's museums in Canada -- houses a wide range of hands-on activity galleries for interactive learning. The Western Canada Aviation Museum is the second largest aviation museum in Canada.

In March 2008, Canada’s Parliament established the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Projected to open in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2012, the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be Canada’s fifth national museum and the first to be located outside of Ottawa.

The Museum’s purpose is to explore the subject of human rights, with special but not exclusive reference to Canada, to enhance the public’s understanding of human rights, to promote respect for others and to encourage reflection and dialogue. It will be the largest centre of its kind anywhere.