How It All Works

There's often a bit of confusion about what kind of structure keeps Massey Theatre going. That's not surprising -- after 52 years of operation things have evolved and changed several times. In 1991 the theatre began operating as the independent not-for-profit Massey Theatre Society, with professional staff, a volunteer board of directors, and a budget of just over half a million dollars annually. We have a lease agreement with the School District which gives the individual schools a number of theatre rental days without charge. The District pays a lump sum for this school use. We have a friendly, arms-length relationship with the School District based in history and a shared commitment to youth.

The City of New Westminster provides a grant of $50,000 annually to the theatre. These funds are used to reduce rents for a select group of New Westminster Societies. They include Royal City Musical Theatre, Royal City Youth Ballet, Maple Leaf Singers, New Westminster Symphony and The Gentlemen of Fortune. Massey Theatre, in effect, acts as a granting agency on behalf of the city for these organizations. And we are happy to do it - they contribute so much to our community's cultural well-being. A small grant from the Province's Direct Access to Gaming allows us to discount rental rates slightly for other charitable societies who need a helping hand.

The Massey Theatre Society generates most of its budget through earned revenues -- a remarkable and unique accomplishment. Most theatres in the province operate as either City or School funded or operated facilities. Theatres in most municipalities are treated much as arenas, playing fields or recreation centres are - as necessary leisure services to assure the health and prosperity of their citizens' lives.