Opera Atelier announced that it received a major grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant in support of its education programming throughout the past season.

In sum, the company was given an $83,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant to help create greater accessibility for its free online “Making of an Opera” education program for Ontario Youth.

Via the grant, Opera Atelier worked with an education consultant to transition the program onto online platforms, while collaborating with videographer Marcel Canzona to create new content with the artistic team and artists. Students were able to reap the benefits throughout the 2020-21 season.

“We are thrilled to have the generous support of the Resilient Communities Fund,” said Marshall Pynkoski C.M., Opera Atelier Co-Founding Artistic Director, in a press statement. “The exposure to and the demystification of the performing arts is essential for young people for a myriad of developmental reasons – self-expression, connection, creativity, empathy and understanding. If we hope to ensure a vibrant and thriving cultural sector as part of Ontario’s future, it is our responsibility to provide zero barrier opportunities for youth to access the arts. Thanks to the incredible support of the OTF we are excited and fortunate to be able to expand Opera Atelier’s popular online education programming and to continue making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.”

Per the company’s official statement, “‘Making of an Opera’s’ goal is to expose teenagers and young adults to all aspects involved with an opera production, and to give them the opportunity to take part in an immersive, hands-on, full day workshop experience.”