2024 Featured Project – $100,000 to the Masset Arts Society Playhouse
Affectionately known as “The Green Church,” the building at 1616 Millard Street was expertly constructed by the Canadian Armed Forces in 1980. With ample windows, a spacious interior, and seating for 100, it offered excellent acoustics and clear sight lines for performances. While Northern Haida Gwaii has other venues, they offer their own set of challenges that inhibits the ability to put on artistic events and maintain storage for large stage props and equipment.
Thanks to funding from the Gwaii Trust Society, the Masset Arts Society was able to purchase the building and renovate its rehearsal space, transforming it into a welcoming performance venue for Northern Haida Gwaii community groups—including dance and theatre troupes, musicians, painters, and carvers. Renamed the Masset Playhouse, it became the only venue of its kind in Masset.
Renovations included extending the stage, providing small ensembles with more space for theatrical performances while improving blocking and sight lines for audiences. A freshly repainted exterior helped further establish the former church as a dedicated performing arts space. Additionally, the Masset Arts Society acquired 100 comfortable chairs, enhancing the venue’s capacity for longer live performances and screenings. These improvements made the space more inviting, particularly for children and elders.