Le Domaine Forget's future projects

Due to the generous support of loyal partners, Domaine Forget has come to occupy an outstanding position in Quebec’s cultural life today and can continue to develop and remain competitive.

On the night of June 9, 2005, a terrible fire reduced to ashes a facility that was vital to the life and operations of Domaine Forget and the Academy of Music and Dance: the common services pavilion, which housed the cafeteria and classrooms. Fortunately, no one was hurt. But for two summers, Domaine Forget had to improvise to provide meals for the Academy students and teachers. For a not-for-profit company, it was an incalculable loss of an element that can never be fully recovered. Due to the urgent need to rebuild this pavilion, Domaine’s Forget’s board of directors decided to go full speed ahead with the realization of their development plan. This plan is of utmost importance, as it aims to allow Domaine Forget to better respond to the needs of young musicians and dancers and consolidate its position as a leader among Canada’s arts centres.

Five major projects for the future were targeted, taking into account the urgent needs and priorities to be met to allow Domaine Forget to continue to grow and to keep up its internationally-recognized level of excellence. They were:

• the rebuilding of the common services pavilion;
• the increasing of the scholarship fund to $1.5M;
• the building and renovation of work and residence facilities;
• the renovation of heritage structures;
• the creation of an endowment fund.

To carry out the development plan in its entirety, a total investment of $13.25M was required. Domaine Forget therefore undertook a pan-Canadian campaign called “River of Talent” to raise $3.5M through substantial donations. This was the subsequent stage after a first campaign launched in 2003, called “Building on Success.” The amount gathered in these two fundraising efforts totalled approximately $6M, allowing Domaine Forget to build a new common services pavilion (the Joseph-Rouleau Pavilion) in time for the summer of 2007, and to build 3 practice studios for the students and teachers at the Academy of Music and Dance. We were also able to renovate Les Studios du Domaine, the residence complex. In addition, thanks to the increase to the scholarship fund, in 2008, we were able to grant $85,000. in scholarships so that more talented young people could come to upgrade their skills under our highly-qualified instructors.

Projects for the future aim to give Domaine Forget the ability to build up the most important centre for the arts in central-eastern Canada over the coming few years, and to fully meet the needs of young musicians and dancers.

It is still possible to contribute to the fundraising campaign by filling out the attached form, thus gaining a certain visibility. For further information, please contact Céline Fortin, in charge of fundraising and development, at cfortin@domaineforget.com or call 418-452-8113, extension 227.

Download form for sending your donation.