$25,000 in artsVest grants dependent on local support

Thirteen Orillia arts and culture organizations are looking to local businesses to match the $25,000 in artsVest incentive grants awarded this week.

Business for the Arts selected Orillia as one of seven Ontario communities to receive matching incentive and sponsorship training for 2013-2014 through artsVest—a program designed to spark new business sponsorship of arts and culture. The City of Orillia, in partnership with the Orillia and District Arts Council and the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, is the local artsVest program administrator and primary applicant on behalf of the Orillia arts community.

“The City is a proud supporter of Orillia arts and culture and we are thrilled artsVest has infused $25,000 into our vibrant arts community,” said Mayor Angelo Orsi. “It is an exciting opportunity for local businesses to get involved in this exciting initiative to match the artsVest funding dollar for dollar.”

In 2007-2008, the Orillia business community tripled the allocated artsVest funding.

The 13 successful organizations to receive matching incentives for 2013-2014 are:

Orillia Scottish Festival - $1,000
Starry Night Gallery and Studio Tour Event Committee - $1,750
Orillia Youth Symphony Orchestra - $1,000
Mariposa Folk Foundation - $2,000
Zephyr Art Gallery Inc. - $1,750
Orillia Spring Blues Festival - $2,000
Mariposa Arts Theatre Foundation - $3,000
The Cellar Singers - $1,500
Orillia Museum of Art and History - $4,000
Orillia Vocal Ensemble - $2,250
Orillia Wind Ensemble - $2,250
Orillia Silver Band - $1,250
Orillia Jazz Festival - $1,250
Total - $25,000

The successful organizations will now have six months to match the incentive with new sponsorships from local businesses.

Since the inception program in 2002 to 2011, 960 businesses have partnered with 305 cultural organizations through artsVest – 602 of these businesses were first-time sponsors of the arts. A total of $1,675,000 in matching funds has generated more than $3,457,000 in private sector sponsorship, resulting in an influx of more than $5,124,000 to the cultural economy. The program is delivered in Ontario with support from Canadian Heritage, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 

The City of Orillia is a city of 30,586 people in the heart of Central Ontario on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Jacqueline Soczka
Manager of Culture
705-329-4530
jsoczka@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929|
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca