The History of the HHACF
The Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation (HHACF) is the driving force behind a long-held community dream: the creation of a dedicated, world-class performing arts facility in the Highlands. For years, our region’s incredible wealth of musical, theatrical, and dance talent has lacked a permanent home designed specifically for the performing arts. Our foundation was created to bridge that gap, ensuring that our local artists have a stage that matches their caliber and our audiences have a venue that offers a truly professional experience.
Our journey began in 2018, when a group of dedicated community leaders and arts advocates officially formed the foundation. Recognizing the need for a formal structure to manage fundraising and long-term planning, we successfully applied for and received charitable status in 2019. This designation was a pivotal moment, allowing us to engage with donors and partners on a much larger scale and signaling to the community that the dream of an arts centre was becoming a serious, organized reality.
A major turning point for the project arrived in 2022, when we completed a comprehensive Feasibility Study. This deep dive into the region’s needs confirmed what we had long suspected: there is an overwhelming demand for a multi-use facility capable of hosting everything from intimate performances to large-scale productions. The study provided the data-driven roadmap required to move from the "ideas" phase into technical planning, proving that a sustainable arts centre is not only desired but vital for the cultural and economic health of the Highlands.
The momentum reached a historic high in 2024 when the Municipality of Dysart et al officially committed to the future of the arts by donating 14 acres of land at the corner of Wonderland Road and County Road 21. This generous contribution provided the project with its physical home and a sense of permanence. With the land secured, we have moved into the pre-development phase, focusing on environmental assessments, site planning, and the architectural vision that will eventually transform this forest acreage into a beacon of creativity.
Today, the HHACF remains committed to building a facility that serves as a "place of intersection" for the more than 30 arts organizations in our region. We are building more than just a theatre; we are building a legacy of inspiration, education, and community pride. As we move forward with site preparation and major gift campaigns, we invite you to join us in laying the groundwork for a future where the arts in the Haliburton Highlands finally have a place to call home.
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation operates on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, within the lands covered by Treaty 20. This territory is home to the Williams Treaties First Nations: Curve Lake, Rama, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. We recognize that Indigenous peoples have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial and continue to do so today. We honour their enduring relationship with this territory and their ongoing contributions to the community. We are committed to building respectful relationships, supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices, and contributing to reconciliation through our work.