Confederation Centre Announces Naming of the Duffy Family Studio 

Charlottetown, PEI — The Confederation Centre of the Arts is proud to announce the naming of the Duffy Family Studio, a dance studio made possible through the generosity of Joan and Regis Duffy in support of the Centre’s Shared Voices Campaign. Their gift reflects a deep belief in the power of community and in the role that access to the arts and shared cultural experiences play in strengthening it.

The Duffy Family Studio will be located within the Centre’s new Arts Academy, a centrepiece of the Shared Voices Campaign that builds on decades of arts education at the Confederation Centre. The Academy will expand the classes, workshops, and training opportunities that have long supported emerging artists, providing a dedicated home for arts education that will serve future generations of young artists.

“Joan and Regis Duffy understand that arts education does more than develop skills, it builds confidence and connection,” said Steve Bellamy, CEO of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. “Their generosity ensures that future generations of young artists will have a dedicated home in which to gather, learn, and grow. The Duffy Family Studio will be a space where discipline, joy, and a sense of belonging come together.”

For Joan and Regis, the commitment to the Arts Academy is grounded in both conviction and personal experience. When their children and grandchildren participated in theatre and dance programming at the Centre, they saw firsthand how those experiences nurtured discipline, joy, and confidence while fostering meaningful connection to a creative community. That experience reinforced their belief in ensuring such opportunities remain accessible to others.

“Confederation Centre reflects the history of Canada, its diversity in language and cultures,” said Joan Duffy. “It brings great theatre to Prince Edward Island and welcomes visitors from around the world. Productions like Anne of Green Gables and one of our favourites, Evangeline, have introduced so many to our Canadian stories.”

Regis Duffy reflects that the Centre has always been a place where community comes to life. Opened in 1964 to commemorate the founding of Canada, the Confederation Centre of the Arts stands as a national symbol of unity while remaining deeply rooted in Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island. From beloved productions such as Anne of Green Gables, which introduced global audiences to the work of Lucy Maud Montgomery, to new Canadian works like Evangeline, the Centre continues to be a gathering place for storytelling and connection. The Centre’s partnership with the PEI Symphony further reflects this commitment to bringing artists and audiences together.

Through their support of the Shared Voices Campaign, Joan and Regis Duffy are helping bring the next chapter of the Confederation Centre to life. By investing in arts education and new Canadian work, they are helping ensure the Centre remains a place where creativity is nurtured, stories are shared, and people come together.

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Media Contact:

Jillian O’Halloran
Confederation Centre of the Arts
📧 [email protected]
🌐 confederationcentre.com

Media Contact:

Mary-Ellen Daves
Director of Development Confederation Centre of the Arts
📧 [email protected]
📞 902-628-6139
🌐 confederationcentre.com