Community Connections

While both organizations felt the strain of the pandemic and had to find ways to adapt and reconfigure, both are coming out on top with a renewed sense of appreciation, both for their place within the community, and for their community itself.

As a popular tourist destination, the Capitol’s artistic producer Rob Kempson says, “We are an anchor business that brings tourists to the region and populate our restaurants and shops and hotels, and we’re so thrilled to be able to support our community in that way, but it’s also about the richness of the community itself. Not just bringing in people from afar, but actually finding those really strong connections with the people who live and work with us.”

Whether you look at the volunteers who have been with the Capitol for more than 25 years or hear of patrons who had their very first date in the original cinema and now bring their grandchildren to the theatre’s holiday production, those stories really reflect how the Capitol is woven into the heartbeat of the community. “We are about sharing stories, we are about creating memories, and we are about making connections,” says Kempson, “And those three pillars are really who we are as an organization.”

In order to stay connected, organizations had to get creative and at a time when people couldn’t access supplies that weren’t deemed essential, the AGN created Art-To-Go kits that were tailored for kids of all ages, and to the curriculum to aid students, teachers and parents alike. As Olinda Casimiro, the AGN’s executive director says, “When you engage with art, you’re also promoting well-being and creating that space or that niche for social connection. It’s really what we’re all about.” 

When it was difficult to find safe places for artists to perform live for an audience, the Capitol introduced “Under The Marquee” — an event that saw the street closed for guests to enjoy live music. This community-focused event encouraged attendees to support a local restaurant (The Social Bar + Table) and dine at their reserved table in front of the theatre, or get a general admission ticket to listen without dining.

Of course many events were still cancelled or postponed for both, but both Kempson and Casimiro echoed that as busy organizations, it’s easy to get caught up in planning for tomorrow rather than the long-term, and both felt the silver-lining that came out of the pandemic was the time and opportunity it provided to reflect on who they are as an organization, what they provide to the community, and what they want to focus on moving forward.  

Both organizations have exciting plans ahead and are looking forward to experiencing them alongside the people that mean so much to them. “We have this wonderful collection and this beautiful space,” says Casimiro, “But you know what? We’re nothing without people; they are our most important asset. Our community is so generous with their time and their conversation. The engagement piece there is so inspiring, and when a whole community can engage with what you’re trying to do and the messaging you’re delivering, plus the supporting of artists, that’s amazing. Then you know the work that you’re doing is meaningful and can grow. I just love the people here.”

The pandemic has been eye-opening in many ways, thankfully with many positives mixed in amongst the negative. “We’ve really seen how important the Capitol is to the residents of Port Hope, Cobourg and Northumberland County at large. Those people have never waivered.” […] says Kempson. “We have the best audiences in the world and they’re sticking with us through this pandemic and that, I think, is the most beautiful piece. It’s the dream of any arts organization, but particularly during a pandemic to have that unwavering support from the community is huge.”