Our community-minded sponsors:
The Nanaimo Port Authority
By Les Dickason

Ross Fraser, Chairman of the Nanaimo Port Authority, says his organization sponsors Western Edge Theatre "in part because of its attempt to revive the Bay Theatre complex, and to enrich the cultural life of the City and its downtown by providing live theatre there."

Four times a year, the Port Authority considers applications for funding from agencies in the community. Board members discuss these applications and make grants to provide seed money particularly for new organizations, and especially if they are in downtown Nanaimo or connected to the harbour in some way.

A significant number of the grants, Fraser says, "Go to arts and culture organizations, but they are not exclusively for these areas." With the different interests of the seven Board members involved in the selection process, the Fund is also allocated to athletics and to larger, established institutions.

Fraser indicates that the Port Authority was particularly impressed by Western Edge's artistic quality. "The calibre of productions is pretty special, and they deserve a lot of credit for that effort. So the Port has supported Western Edge for two years now with small grants, and we will see what the future brings."

Says Western Edge Artistic Producer Frank Moher: "The Nanaimo Port Authority has played a huge role in revivifying downtown, and we're glad that they see us as a partner in that effort."