Donor Spotlight: Grant Honeyman, Anne Fan Since 1966

For Grant Honeyman, supporting the Shared Voices Campaign at Confederation Centre of the Arts is more than just philanthropy; it’s personal. He and his partner, Stephen Yarrow, recently made a generous five-year pledge to the campaign, reflecting their deep and enduring connection to the Centre and the arts community on Prince Edward Island.

Grant’s passion for theatre began in Rothesay, New Brunswick. As a child, he was captivated by the magic of live performance. At just 12 years old, he meticulously planned a family vacation to PEI with one non-negotiable item on the itinerary: a performance of Anne of Green Gables at the Centre. It was love at first sight and the beginning of a lifelong relationship!

In 1972, Grant moved to Charlottetown to study Commercial Design at Holland College. Soon after, he began working as a summer usher at the Centre, an experience that would solidify his bond with the institution. He became Front-of-House Manager in 1975, a role that gave him a front-row seat to countless performances, including many runs of Anne and the acclaimed musical Kronborg, another personal favourite. He even found time to sneak in dance classes between shifts. Today, a seat in the Centre’s Sobey Family Theatre bears a special tribute: “Anne fan since 1966.”

Grant and Stephen remain dedicated patrons.

“We see almost every show,” says Grant. “And we love the gallery. It’s a treasure, thanks to an amazing team.”

Two exhibitions that stood out to them were Doors by Lindee Climo (1980) and Shame and Prejudice by Kent Monkman (2018). “Art is meant to shake you up a bit,” Grant reflects.

Their commitment to the arts extends well beyond the Centre. They are active supporters of The Guild, City Cinema, Watermark Theatre, the Under the Spire concert series, and the PEI Symphony. Their generosity also touches environmental and educational causes, including the Island Nature Trust, the MacPhail Woods Ecological Forestry Project – which is advising them on a rewilding project on their property in southeastern PEI – and the Atlantic Veterinary College, which cared for their beloved dog in his final days.

Why the Shared Voices Campaign?

“We believe in what it stands for- making the Centre more accessible and inclusive,” says Grant. “The arts should be a place where everyone sees themselves reflected and feels welcome.”

Thanks to Grant and Stephen’s support, the Centre is one step closer to that vision.