Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Manitoba Begins Concert Hall Construction

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/30/21

The University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, recently announced that construction has begun on a new performance venue. The Desautels Concert Hall is the last stage of the multi-year Taché Arts Project, a modernization effort meant to unite the school’s art, music and theater programs in one facility. The 409-seat venue will serve not just the university but the Winnipeg community, as well. The $24-million facility is scheduled to open its doors to the public by fall 2023.

“I am excited about this new space, which will be unlike any other in Winnipeg,” said Michael Benarroch, president and Vice-Chancellor at UM. “It will enable opportunities for new performances to move and inspire us, fostering connections between communities in ways only performance pieces allow.”

The space’s design is set to maximize both acoustics and sightlines. One notable feature is that the venue will be configurable in three different ways: a large stage for orchestra groups, a small stage for smaller ensembles and voice recitals, and a proscenium for theater and dance performances. It will also include new, well-lit rehearsal spaces. The space was designed by Cibinel Architecture.

“With state-of-the-art acoustics, adjustable proscenium and orchestral pit, the concert hall will provide an outstanding performance experience for our students, faculty and community musicians,” said Edward Jurkowski, Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music. “It is flexible enough to accommodate a range of musical activities, from the solo performer, to our various small ensembles, to large ensembles such as our opera productions and University of Manitoba Jazz Orchestra. The concert hall will be not just an important feature of the Desautels Faculty of Music and the University of Manitoba, but also a vital contribution to Winnipeg’s musical life.”

Funding for the project has come primarily through private donations, including a $10-million gift from Marcel Desautels, $2.5 million from Dr. Michael F. B. Nesbitt, $2.5 million from Gail Asper and many others. Fundraising is still ongoing through the “Your Seat Awaits” campaign.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.

  • UNH Marks Construction Milestone on Oceanic Exploration Facility

    The University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., recently celebrated a major construction milestone with a beam-signing ceremony for the new Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping, according to a news release. The facility’s ultimate goal is to support research, training and technical assistance in ocean mapping.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.