Art groups wanting to book space at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts will get a break on rental costs at the downtown Kitchener venue.

Councillors approved the measure at a committee meeting Monday to make the rehearsal and performance space more affordable to arts groups hit hard during the pandemic.

“This is a grant program for users, to make it more accessible,” said Emily Robson, Kitchener’s manager of arts and creative industries.

Priority will be given to local performers, non-profit performing arts organizations, including theatre, dance and music, as well as equity-deserving applicants.

Robson said the goal is to increase the dates booked at the centre from 55 in 2019 to about 85 next year and in 2023.

Art groups wanting to book space at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts will get a break on rental costs at the downtown Kitchener venue.

Councillors approved the measure at a committee meeting Monday to make the rehearsal and performance space more affordable to arts groups hit hard during the pandemic.

“This is a grant program for users, to make it more accessible,” said Emily Robson, Kitchener’s manager of arts and creative industries.

Priority will be given to local performers, non-profit performing arts organizations, including theatre, dance and music, as well as equity-deserving applicants.

Robson said the goal is to increase the dates booked at the centre from 55 in 2019 to about 85 next year and in 2023.

Matt White, co-founder and artistic director of Green Lights Arts, told councillors he loves the Conrad Centre and is proud to show it off.

“The dressing room feels like you are in Broadway,” and the foyer is a gathering space. The theatre is a “treat,” he said.

“It’s a place where everyone has an opportunity to grow their artistic practice,” he said.

Artistic space is often in two groups: the affordable space is booked, and the available space is too expensive, White said.

White said the grant money has the potential to be a “game-changer,” making space truly affordable.

“The subsidy allows renters to get in the door. It’s the difference between doing a show and not doing a show,” he said.

Robson said the grant funding with the symphony is a two-year lease with a longer-term plan for the centre being considered by staff.

Last January, local philanthropists Manfred and Penny Conrad donated the 24,000-square-foot Conrad Centre, located at King and Queen streets, to the city. It offers a 300-seat theatre space.

The Conrads said they wanted the space and the block to become a popular spot for arts and culture. The city owns the neighbouring space of TheMuseum, the old Goudies building, and nearly two years ago, the city purchased the adjacent BMO bank building in the downtown core for $3 million.

Brenden Sherratt, of K-W Musical Productions, told councillors the subsidy will put the Conrad Centre on par with the Registry Theatre that is affordable to rent but often booked.

“There is a real need for affordable rehearsal and performance space in Waterloo Region,” he said.

By Liz Monteiro for www.therecord.com.

Photo: The Conrad Centre.