Canada invests $6M in 60th Shaw Festival in Niagara

The federal government announced an investment of over $6 million to support the Shaw Festival’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

“This investment will create a positive ripple effect across the Niagara Region’s tourism and hospitality sectors, strengthen southern Ontario’s position as a tourism destination of choice and position the Shaw Festival for strong growth,” the government said in a news release.

The government’s investment, through the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative (MFESI), will help the Shaw Festival return to its pre-pandemic scale with 13 shows, a new concert series and Fairground and Shawground events.

The Shaw Festival is one of the world’s leading repertory theatre companies with 13 or more productions each year. It is the second largest repertory theatre company in North America and one of the largest employers in the Niagara Region.

“Major festivals, such as the Shaw Festival are important to the local economy. The Shaw Festival attracts millions of visitors to the Niagara region annually—creating both revenue and jobs across the community. Today’s investment will help the Shaw Festival once again bring quality performances, visitors and economic opportunity to the region,” said Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, in a statement.

The Shaw Festival was founded in 1962 and generates over $220 million in economic activity each year for the Niagara Region.