MPP Rickford Announces Investments in Community Art Exhibits, Festivals and School Programs in Kenora

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport is Maximizing the Impact of the Local Arts and Culture Sector

KENORA – Today, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport is investing $37,000 through the Ontario Arts Council in local art events and school programs in Kenora to empower local arts and cultural organizations to thrive.

“Our government understands the important role that the arts play in fostering dynamic and thriving communities across Northern Ontario,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora – Rainy River. “This support will help Kenora’s artists and arts organizations increase their operations, draw more visitors to our community and provide more learning and artistic experiences for students and residents in the region.”

This funding includes:

  • $11,000 through the Ontario Arts Council’s Visual Arts Projects program for The Muse: Douglas Family Art Centre to exhibit the immersive installation ‘Bloom’ by Amanda McCavour and support related programming including artist-led programs.
  • $13,000 through the Ontario Arts Council’s Northern Arts Projects program for the Lake of the Woods Arts Community for ARTSFEST 2024 to bring together art enthusiasts and art creators of all ages to experience the arts in a safe, free, and accessible outdoor venue.
  • $13,000 through the Ontario Arts Council’s Northern Arts Projects program for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) to encourage an exploration of arts at KPDSB through 3 8-week sessions taught by professional artists in different disciplines, each school year.

“Ontario’s arts and culture organizations enrich our lives and boost economic activity,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “I’m pleased that the Muse: Douglas Family Art Centre, ARTSFEST 2024, and the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are being provided with the funding they require to continue their great work in the region.”  

The Visual Arts Projects program supports organizations, groups, and independent curators to present projects that exhibit the work of professional Ontario visual artists, while the Northern Arts Projects program is designed to support the creation, production, and presentation of artwork and community-engaged arts initiatives that benefit communities in Northern Ontario.

“The Muse: Lake of the Woods Museum & Douglas Family Art Centre is thrilled to be able to partner with the Ontario Arts Council and the Province of Ontario to support the upcoming Amanda McCavour exhibition in Kenora,” said Braden Murray, Director of The Muse: Douglas Family Art Centre. “Amanda is a world class artist from here in Ontario. With this funding we will be able to bring Amanda to Kenora in person, and host programming and workshops that will enrich Kenora and the surrounding area’s art scene.”

“We are immensely pleased to have been successful in our application for the Ontario Arts Council’s Northern Arts Projects grant. The funding helps the Lake of the Woods Arts Community (LOWAC) fulfill its mission to foster and promote the spirit of creativity in the City of Kenora,” said Leanne Fournier, Past President, Communication Co-Chair. “We look forward to once again bringing art lovers and creators together at ArtsFest on the grounds of The Muse in downtown Kenora to explore, experience, and benefit from our rich and diverse arts community. ArtsFest is scheduled for July 20th and 21st, 2024 and wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of funders like OAC.”

QUICK FACTS

  • Ontario is investing more than $151,451 in the latest round of Visual Arts Projects grants to artists/arts organizations. 14 artists/arts organizations are receiving funding.
  • Ontario is investing more than $334,224 in the latest round of Northern Arts Projects grants to artists/arts organizations. 27 artists/arts organizations are receiving funding.
  • The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. 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.
  • The OAC invested $57.1 million in 224 communities across Ontario in 2022-23. 2,344 grants were provided to individual artists and 1,042 grants to arts organizations.