New gift to Performing Arts Centre to enable Indigenous artwork

When Keith McIntosh and Joyce MacEacheron first heard about the new Performing Arts Centre being built in downtown Fredericton, they were excited to see progress in the city. “Tradition is important,” Keith said, “but we need to keep moving forward. When we travel, we see beautiful cities with great theatres and artwork. Fredericton deserves that too – we’re a world class city and need world class facilities.”

So, when the couple were approached about supporting the campaign for the new venue, they jumped at the chance to help. Keith and Joyce have given $250,000 to the Encore! campaign to enable the Performing Arts Centre to commission a significant new public artwork by an Indigenous artist.

The prominent sculptural artwork, which will be suspended from the ceiling in the main lobby of the Performing Arts Centre, will be a created by a regional Indigenous artist, chosen through a competitive process. Tim Yerxa, Executive Director of Fredericton Playhouse Inc., says the venue itself will acknowledge and signal its presence on the Wolastoqey territory it is built on by including artwork, design elements, language, and various traditions of the area’s Indigenous people. “This large piece of sculptural art will be highly visible both inside and outside the venue. The artist will be selected in collaboration with the Indigenous community and they will be commissioned to create something that responds to the energy and character of the space itself, after it opens. It will be a piece that will be seen by tens of thousands every year.”

Keith has led his award-winning software testing company, PLATO ( nee PQA) , from his home province of New Brunswick for 27 years. Now the largest software testing company in Canada, it is majority Indigenous-owned, with significant Indigenous leadership at the board and executive level and is committed to being at least 33% Indigenous staffed. “We evolved the business to give Indigenous people opportunities. So, when we learned of the desire to offer an Indigenous artist the opportunity to make an artistic statement in a prominent location at the Performing Arts Centre, it was a natural fit. It’s important to recognize the Indigenous contributions to our country, province and city.”

Joyce adds, “I have wonderful memories of attending performances at the Playhouse, and taking our kids to the Kidstage shows. It helps broaden our knowledge and appreciation for different viewpoints and cultures. Expanding these opportunities as Fredericton grows is key to a thriving, diverse community. This new modern facility makes sense, especially with the large hall and the smaller theatre for local productions.”

Keith and Joyce both say, “We consider ourselves very fortunate and we think it’s important to give back. We can’t wait to take in performances at the new venue.”