WestJet proud to support National Music Centre program

CALGARY, July 22, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced a three-year agreement with the National Music Centre (NMC) to be the airline partner for NMC's Artist in Residence Program, which is based out of NMC's new facility Studio Bell in Calgary.

Unveiled on July 1, 2016, Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is an international hub for music and technology that preserves and celebrates Canada's music story, while inspiring new music. The Artist in Residence Program invites musicians from across Canada and around the world to explore and utilize NMC's collection of artifacts, including the Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio, to create new musical works. WestJet will be providing flights so that artists can travel from across its network to Studio Bell over the next three years.

"The National Music Centre has quickly established itself as the most important touchstone for all things music in Canada and we are thrilled to be the airline partner for the Artist in Residence program," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet's Vice-President, Marketing Communications. "As we approach Canada's 150^th birthday, Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is a preeminent destination to visit in order to understand and appreciate Canada's contributions to the music scene throughout history, both nationally and globally. We look forward to flying Canadians and talented musicians from coast-to-coast here to our hometown for a great musical experience. Studio Bell is an asset to the city, the province and Canada itself and WestJet is proud to share in its success through our support of the Artist in Residence program."

"We are thrilled to have WestJet provide this critical support to our Artist in Residence program," said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of the National Music Centre. "WestJet's support will enable more emerging and mid-career artists across a range of genres to visit us in Calgary to explore the wealth of our collection and create new music. Access is often a barrier for artists, and we truly value WestJet's commitment to removing that obstacle in the pursuit of music."

"This partnership between WestJet and the National Music Centre is an excellent example of the collaborative effort that will help the Centre grow as the home of Canadian music and centre of excellence into the future," said Ricardo Miranda, Alberta Minister of Culture and Tourism. "Through its support of the Artist in Residence Program, WestJet is opening the doors to a unique musical experience for artists and helping to further enhance that experience for visitors from across Canada and around the world."

About Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, and the Artist in Residence program

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is a new international hub for music and technology. The 160,000 square-foot building includes five floors of exhibition space, a 2000-plus piece collection of artifacts, instruments and music technology, workshops, classrooms, performances spaces, as well as analog and digital recording facilities. 

The National Music Centre's Artist in Residence program has inspired and contributed to recordings from acts such as 2014 Polaris Music Prize short-listers Timber Timbre and Edmonton synth-enthusiasts Shout Out Out Out Out, along with collaborative works between Montreal's Kid Koala and noted Beastie Boys associate, Money Mark. "Somebody That I Used to Know" hit-maker Gotye is also an alumnus of the residency program with samples from the collection to appear on his next album. Residencies using the new recording facilities inside Studio Bell will begin this fall. To learn more, please visit nmc.ca/artists.

About WestJet

We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

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SOURCE WestJet