Hamilton - Several of Hamilton’s arts organizations and individual artists will benefit from Ontario Arts Council (OAC) grants totaling $310, 212.
This funding, recommended between September and November 2008, will allow these organizations and individuals to pursue a variety of unique and exciting projects. Nine individual artists, as well as the following arts organizations, will benefit from these grants: the Art Gallery of Hamilton, McMaster Museum of Art, Artword Cultural Projects, The Book of Gnomes, Hamilton Printmakers Arts Association, Opera Hamilton, and Red Tree Hamilton.
Ontario’s artists and creators strengthen our communities and are essential to a stronger Ontario economy. They give us an edge for competing in a global, knowledge-based economy.
The Ontario Arts Council is the province of Ontario’s primary funding body for professional arts activity. Since 1963, the Council has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts and artists for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians.
Since 2007, the Ontario government has increased annual funding to the Ontario Arts Council by $15 million, a 37.5 per cent increase, bringing its current budget to $55 million.
QUOTES
“Hamilton is fortunate to have a vibrant arts community which all Hamiltonians can share and enjoy,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. “This investment will go a long way to strengthen local artists and the communities they serve.”
“Art and culture have always been a key part of our community,” said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. “I am pleased that our government sees the value in these OAC grants as they will further enhance these organizations and individuals. ‘Without music and the arts, life would be a mistake.’”
“Operating support is absolutely vital to cultural organizations and we are pleased that this is so well understood by the Ontario government as well as the Ontario Arts Council,” said Art Gallery of Hamilton President and CEO Louise Dompierre. “It certainly contributes to bringing further financial stability to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and allows us to continue to present engaging exhibition and educational activities for families in Hamilton and beyond.”
QUICK FACTS
- In 2007-08, the Ontario Arts Council funded 1,300 individual artists and 874 organizations in 252 communities across Ontario for a total of $40 million.
- The culture sector generates $19.7 billion of Ontario’s gross domestic product; more than Ontario’s agriculture, fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction and utilities industries combined.
- More than 250,000 people earn their living in Ontario’s culture sector.
- Every year, Ontario’s cultural tourism generates more than $4.5 billion.