Contemporary arts theatre and East Vancouver institution The Cultch has received a three-year $130,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation for its “Democratizing our Stages” project.

The project began last November, when The Cultch presented the internationally renowned play, Nirbhaya, in partnership with Diwali Fest, Women Against Violence Against Women, and Amnesty International.

Since then, the theatre has also worked with the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, Dancers of Damelahamid, Neworld Theatre, the frank theatre company, and Urban Ink in an effort to spotlight those groups and communities that have yet to engage with the arts centre.  

“We are interested in talking to people who are not coming to The Cultch,” said the theatre’s executive director, Heather Redfern, in a press statement. “We’ll be partnering with like-minded organizations from the community to diversify the audience that attends these productions, finding innovative ways to provide access to communities.”

The grant will allow The Cultch to continue fostering cross-cultural communication that will make the performing arts more accessible to a wider range of audiences.

As part of the project, the Cultch will maintain its work with Diwali Fest and establish a number of new partnerships over the next three years.