Ontario Boosting Arts and Culture in Dryden

November 8, 2025

New $14,500 Investment Will Support Jobs and Maximize the Impact of the Local Arts and Culture Sector

DRYDEN– The Ontario government is supporting the City of Dryden through an investment of $14,500 to support good jobs, empower local artists and help community arts and culture organizations thrive.
Today, MPP Greg Rickford announced that the Dryden Entertainment Series and Dryden Youth Entertainment Series will receive $14,500 through the Ontario Arts Presenters Project, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

“The Dryden Entertainment and Youth Entertainment Series have been delivering high-quality performing arts for families and children in our community for over 50 years,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora- Rainy River. “Our government is proud to partner with DES and DEYS to continue to bring workshops, educational programming, and performance arts to Northwestern Ontario.”
The Ontario Arts Presenters Projects program grant is designed to maximize the positive impact of Ontario’s cultural sector in local communities throughout the province. The program aims to develop audiences for the arts in Ontario regions outside of Toronto. It supports Ontario-based presenter organizations, ad hoc groups and collectives led by volunteer community members, as well as municipalities, colleges and universities to present professional artists in all OAC-funded disciplines and to offer associated audience engagement activities.

This funding includes:
• $7,000 for the Dryden Entertainment Series 2025-2026 season to stage eight Canadian professional performing artists in music and drama.
•$7,500 for the Dryden Youth Entertainment Series to present cultural and educational live arts for children.

The program is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by supporting workers, businesses, communities and jobs in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty, while creating a solid foundation for a strong, resilient and competitive future.

“Ontario’s arts and culture organizations enrich our lives and boost economic activity,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is crucial we support made-in-Ontario experiences that build stronger communities, strengthen local economies and celebrate our shared heritage. Our government is thrilled to provide Dryden Entertainment and Youth Entertainment Series with the funding it needs to continue its great work in Dryden, complementing the creative endeavours of other arts organizations across the province.”

“The Dryden Youth Entertainment Series would like to thank the Ontario Arts Council for its continued support of our committee’s efforts. Through the Dryden Youth Entertainment Series, families in Dryden are able to access shows in theatre, music, dance, puppetry and more. Our vision is to ensure that opportunities for youth in Dryden to experience art are not hindered by financial barriers and the Ontario Art Council’s grants are critical to our success. We appreciate the Ontario Arts Council and look forward to continued work together in the future.”

Sarah McKenzie
Chair, Dryden Youth Entertainment Series

“The Dryden Entertainment Series is very appreciative of the funding received from the Ontario Arts Council. This support will assist DES in achieving our mandate to bring the arts to our more remote part of Ontario. DES celebrated our 50th anniversary last season, and with continued support from OAC and our community, we will be able to sustain our work for the future for the benefit of our community.”

Wendy Parkin
Chair, Dryden Entertainment Series

Quick Facts
• Ontario is investing in 34 arts organizations through the Ontario Arts Presenters Projects program.
• The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. It provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts
professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations, supporting a range
of arts activities and disciplines.
• In 2023-24, OAC invested $53 million in 219 communities, in all 124 Ontario ridings through 2,133 grants to individual artists and 1,038 grants to organizations.