Overview
Every event deserves to shine. This fund supports the purchase of two new sets of mobile coloured lighting fixtures to illuminate events held throughout CDCC’s beautiful multi-purpose heritage spaces. As a heritage venue with a wide range of uses, from student recitals and university lectures to community concerts and cultural showcases, lighting needs are diverse and evolving. These new fixtures will allow us to adapt quickly to different event formats, improving visual quality, accessibility, and atmosphere.
The Background
The Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC) is a cherished downtown Ottawa venue that bridges Carleton University with the broader community through arts, learning, and engagement. The building’s architecture is beautiful and historic, yet many spaces lack the adaptable lighting needed for modern events. Limited lighting flexibility makes it challenging to create the dynamic environments that today’s performances and presentations demand. This fund aims to address this gap by providing mobile coloured lighting units that can move between rooms, highlight performers, and create mood and drama without altering the centre’s historic features. The result will be a modern, energy-efficient solution that respects the past while embracing the future of creative expression.
The Rollout
Enhanced lighting will elevate student performances, community concerts, lectures, and special events, ensuring each one is presented in its best possible light. For artists and presenters, it means new expressive possibilities. For audiences, it means a richer and more immersive experience. Beyond aesthetics, the project also supports sustainability – noting that mobile LED lighting is efficient, easy to set up, and minimizes energy use. This investment transforms spaces into being more versatile, inclusive, and professional for creativity, learning, and connection.
With this equipment, CDCC will be able to:
- Provide students, university departments, and community groups with powerful new tools to bring their creative visions to life;
- Dramatically enhance atmosphere for theatre, dance, music, and spoken-word showcases;
- Transform various multi-purpose spaces quickly and flexibly for not only performances, but a wide range of events – from lectures and workshops to conferences and receptions;
- Elevate the overall guest experience.
The Impact
This project enriches the educational experience at Carleton University by integrating professional tools into student learning and presenting environments. The improved lighting will enhance academic events, from lectures to conferences, ensuring that ideas and performances are presented with clarity and impact. For students performing at CDCC, this project turns the stage into a space where they can experiment, collaborate, and grow. For the university as a whole, it reinforces Carleton’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement through the arts.