Photo by Jackie Torrens.
OUR HISTORY
Our History
Two Planks and a Passion Theatre was founded by the husband and wife team of Ken Schwartz and Chris O’Neill in 1992.
We began as a touring company, beginning with a small Nova Scotian tour of Daniel MacIvor’s one woman show See Bob Run, and within six years, we were touring across Canada from Whitehorse to St. John;s with an emphasis on rural comunities. At the same time, we were using theatre and the arts for creative empowerment in the community, working with kids, women in transition houses, rural homeless people and others, and began our summer camps.
The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, as part of a larger vision, came into focus in 2000, with the construction beginning in 2003. With the Theatre as an anchor partner producing award-winning plays on-site during the summer months, the Centre is steadily achieving the vision of becoming a place for multidisciplinary arts education and development that serves working artists and helps create the next generation of artists of all disciplines. The lifelong learning element that has been an integral part of that vision since the Centre’s inception gives emerging and established professional artists of all disciplines opportunities to enhance their skills, their craft, and their impact.
We offer Summer and March Break camps, adventure weekends, adult arts workshops, international artist residencies, school and community programs and many more projects and outreach along with rentals of our facilities.
The Centre has a strong staff complement and is now working to complete the rest of the facilities to ensure a wonderful master class experience for artists of all disciplines. Our ability to serve the performing arts as well as the individual creative pursuits is an important part of the philosophy of the centre.
Two Planks is now the award-winning resident theatre of the Centre, creating a magical experience for thousands of visitors and the camp community each summer.
Our Community
The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts is on the North Mountain of the Annapolis Valley, only a few minutes from the storied resting place at Blomidon of the Mi’kmaq’s Great Spiritual Chief, Glooscap. The Annapolis Valley, one of Canada’s great agricultural communities, was first settled by the Mi’kMaq people, and then farmed by the Acadians from France in a great social experiment in egalitarian living that began more than 400 years ago. After the British took over the area in 1700, the village of Canning (originally called Apple Tree Landing) was founded as a shipbuilding town, with a tidal river bringing tall ships in and out and supporting the thriving farming industry.
The Centre itself is based on 178 acres of farm and forest with views of the Bay of Fundy where the world’s highest tides rise and fall over 30 feet twice daily. Our forests offer fabulous walking trails—glimpses of deer, eagles, hawks, and porcupines can be a special part of the Ross Creek experience.
The Centre’s rural setting is enhanced by its access to local amenities, both in the village of Canning and in the nearby town of Wolfville. The town, home of Acadia University, has fine dining, an alternative cinema house showing films from the festival circuit, and wonderful cafes, bookshops and galleries. Wolfville is a bastion of culture adding to and connecting with the Centre’s activities. Internationally renowned festivals like Devour and Deep Roots are excellent examples of the vibrant cultural life of our region. There is also a contemporary shopping community close by.
While all applications are appreciated, only those individuals selected for interview will be contacted.
FACILITIES
We have large vegetable gardens, woods, meadows, ponds and open spaces. Trails await your walk or snowshoe adventure.
Farmhouse
The Farmhouse, with simple cottage style, has seven bedrooms with 8 beds, a breakfast kitchen and common rooms. With access to a piano and many beloved novels, this space provides homey accommodations for retreats and events alike.
Lamella Gathering Space
The Lamella was built by the Dalhousie School of Architecture and Coastal Studios and is an innovative warm weather gathering space with benches and tables.
Camp Area
We have a camp area with 4 heated bunkhouses which house 12 people each. There is a large field in the middle with a magical campfire area.
Celebration Tents
We have three beautiful white tents for your special on or offsite function. Two are 20 feet x 20 feet squares and the other is a 40 foot octagon with high peak. Two have closable sides and will provide your event with a rustic form of elegance.
Ross Creek Professional Gallery
The Professional Gallery is a secure 18 x 30 foot space with lovely red floors and track lighting. It is a wonderful place for meetings, presentations, exhibits and classes. The climate can be controlled and the space is lockable.
Community Gallery
The Community Gallery is an 18 x 25 foot open gallery space with lovely red floors and track lighting. It is a wonderful place for projector presentations, exhibits, meetings and classes. The climate can be controlled.
Board Room
An upstairs meeting room with a large board table and chairs, seating 12 with a projector screen and small opening windows.
Studio B
A large West-facing studio with high ceilings and sprung floors with its own entrance and sinks. Looking out over the west field and the outdoor stage area, this studio is perfect for working on larger pieces or small collaborative groups.
Size: 18 feet x 28 feet; Ceiling: 10 feet; Lighting: Track; Large west window, separate entrance
North Studio
A small lovely second floor room that overlooks the ponds and forest of the centre, this room is equipped with sink, paint trap and a softwood floor.
Size: 12 feet x 18 feet; Ceiling: 8 feet; Lighting: Track; Large North Window
RJ Owen Studio
A deep red room with beautiful stained softwood floors, this performing arts studio features a lightly sprung floor, overhead lighting positions and the potential to have full technical Rehearsals. Engineered for theatre and speech, this is also a perfect meeting or dining space, which can be modified with drapery to suit music, and a marley dance floor may be added for dance creation.
Size: 40 feet square; Ceiling: 16 feet high; Lighting: 14 feet high Flexible configuration
Dance Studio
The companion to the RJ Owen Studio, this has a floor sprung for dance and is acoustically tuned for music. A deep green, it has all the features of the Owen, but with a flat black floor and access to the outdoor stage. The Dance Studio also has access to a projector with a white wall to show screenings.
Size: 40 feet square; Ceiling: 16 feet high; Lighting: 14 feet high Flexible configuration
The Ross Creek Annex
There is a transformation happening at the site of the former Church of St. Lawrence in Canning. A donor has purchased the church for Ross Creek to expand our programming as a rental space with a community kitchen, recording studio, performance space and more! Renovations are well underway and we are offering tours every few weeks. The goal is to have it open for Fall programming in 2022. Learn more here.
SPACE RENTALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
We also rent our theatre lighting, easels, projector lens, marley dance floors and other equipment. If you have an event—Ross Creek has the perfect space, helpful staff, and the magic to help you make it happen. With rustic overnight accommodation, beautiful grounds, and large and small studios, the Centre can play host to any manner of event, informal (a child’s birthday party), complex (a conference or corporate retreat), or elegant (a wedding or anniversary).
Meetings:
Large gathering space with projector hook-up for your computer, snack, coffee and tea service available.
$125 for half day (four hours), $250 for a full day (8 hours)
Birthday Parties
Give your child an event to remember – in all the best ways, and with least effort on your part! Themed art activities, home-made pizza, cake, games—a fantastically fun birthday party created for your child by the Ross Creek staff. For even more fun, you can book an overnight in one of our studios with arts activities, all followed by a giant movie!
Special Events
Whether you want to gather with friends to celebrate a life event, or to have a fun workshop, the fabulously artistic staff can design a program that will create wonderful memories. Our full-time chef will make sure no one goes away hungry! You can email us at mail@artscentre.ca to start the ball rolling!
Weddings and Formal Events
Prices vary according to the complexity of the event and the style of meal to be catered. Our chef can prepare your feast, or an outside chef can be negotiated. The Centre is available ten months of the year, but it is generally not available in July or August. Download our fee schedule to give you an idea of our rates.
For other events or if you have questions, give us a call at 902-582-3842 or email mail@artscentre.ca!
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