Gift of $250,000 made to ACCELERANDO Fund at Confederation Centre of the Arts

– Fund helps support live classical music at the Centre –

Jul 24, 2023 – A gift of $250,000, in the form of a life insurance policy, was announced during a performance from the National Youth Orchestra of Canada at Confederation Centre of the Arts on Sunday, July 23.

The gift was given by Dr. Bruce Craig and Patricia Craig to the Centre’s ACCELERANDO Classical Music Performance Fund, which helps support live classical music at Confederation Centre of the Arts and creates opportunities for young musicians to learn.

“The fund fosters training and career development of a new generation of young musicians and helps create a culture of musical literacy and life-long appreciation of orchestral masterpieces, chamber music, opera, and other forms of ensemble performance,” says Jim Travers, chair of Confederation Centre of the Arts Foundation.

The ACCELERANDO Fund was founded in 2014 with an initial donation by the Craigs, working in tandem with the Foundation. Since its establishment, the fund has grown to over $216,000 and helps support performances by the PEI Symphony Orchestra, summer performances by Confederation Brass, and other chamber music performances by national and internationally renowned concert artists.

“We hope this gift inspires others to donate to the ACCELERANDO Fund and ensure classical music continues to thrive on the Island,” says Bruce Craig.

“This exciting gift will enhance our ability to provide opportunities for youth development in classical performance, as well as help us expand classical music programming at the Centre,” says CEO Steve Bellamy. “We are truly grateful to Bruce and Patricia Craig for their leadership and vision.”

The Craigs’ gift is in the form of a life insurance policy, of which Confederation Centre of the Arts Foundation has been named the beneficiary.

“Gift planning allows donors to leverage non-cash giving methods, enabling them to support their preferred charitable organizations with larger gifts than their incomes alone would allow,” says Emily Smith, the Centre’s major gifts officer. “A life insurance policy is not subject to taxes, probate costs or estate debts after the donor’s death, and one can make a substantial contribution through relatively small monthly or yearly payments.”

For more information about supporting Confederation Centre of the Arts, contact Emily Smith at 902-629-1196 or [email protected].

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Photo cutline: Bruce and Patricia Craig with the 2023 cohort of Confederation Brass.

Media Contact:
Emily McMahon, Communications Manager, Confederation Centre of the Arts
[email protected] | 902-628-6135