New national home of NMC to open in Calgary's East Village in spring 2016
CALGARY, April 9, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The National
Music Centre (NMC) and Bell today announced a 12-year, $10 million partnership to support the
construction of NMC's new national home in Calgary's East Village. Named Studio Bell, the
facility will open to the public in spring 2016.
"Partnering with Bell supports our national vision and ability
to connect with music lovers from coast to coast to coast," said
Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of
the National Music Centre. "Studio Bell will be a technologically
innovative national hub celebrating Canada and the power of music.
We are confident the Studio Bell partnership positions us to
deliver on our mission, vision and commitment to honour Canada's
music story."
"Bell is excited to help celebrate Canada's rich music history with
our support for the new home of the National Music Centre, Studio
Bell," said Loring Phinney, Vice-President Corporate Marketing,
Bell Canada. "With our commitment to
the development of Canadian media of all kinds, Bell is proud to
invest in the National Music Centre and its work to inspire a new
generation of musicians and music lovers across the country."
The sponsorship was announced at an event this morning featuring
a special performance by Randy
Bachman, a longtime supporter of NMC. Bachman commemorated
this NMC milestone by presenting the guitar on which he wrote and
recorded "American Woman." Bachman will lend the guitar to NMC for
exhibition at Studio Bell when it opens.
NMC has raised $125 million
towards its campaign goal of $168
million. The Government of Canada committed $25 million to the project through the Building
Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component, and the Province of
Alberta and the City of Calgary have each committed an
additional $25 million. Coril
Holdings Ltd. also contributed a $10
million gift to the campaign.
Randy Bachman is currently on
tour to support his new album, Heavy Blues. For more
information on Bachman's return to his blues roots and tour date
information, visit randybachman.com.
About Studio Bell: Home of the National Music
Centre
Currently under construction in Calgary's East Village and scheduled to open
in spring 2016, Studio Bell will be home to the National Music
Centre, a national cultural organization devoted to amplifying a
love, sharing, and understanding of music. It will become an
international hub of music and technology, and will house NMC's
2000+ piece collection of artifacts, instruments and music
technology, 22,000 square feet of exhibitions devoted to telling
the stories of music in Canada, a
300-seat performance space and recording studios.
About the National Music Centre
The National Music Centre (NMC) is a national catalyst for
discovery, innovation and renewal through music. In its new home at
Studio Bell, NMC will preserve and celebrate Canada's music story
and inspire a new generation of music lovers through programming
that includes on-site and outreach education programs,
performances, artist incubation, and exhibitions. For more
information, please visit nmc.ca.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing
consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home
phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's
premier multimedia company with leading assets in television,
radio, out of home, and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by
Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please
visit Bell.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Clara's Big
Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant
Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace
initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
SOURCE Bell Canada