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Orillia was one of seven Ontario communities selected by Business for the Arts to receive matching incentive grants and sponsorship training for 2013-2014 through artsVest™, a program designed to spark new business sponsorship of arts and culture and to build capacity in Canada’s cultural sector.
The program is delivered in Ontario with support from Canadian Heritage, the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Municipalities were invited to apply for the program and a chance to bring $25,000 to $100,000 in matching funds to their cultural sector. Arts and culture organizations in Orillia, Collingwood, Kawartha Lakes, Milton, Owen Sound, St. Catharines, Temiskaming Shores will now receive sponsorship training on securing private sector support and will be encouraged to apply for a matching incentive grant that will initiate new partnerships from the local business community.
“In 2007, Orillia demonstrated its commitment to supporting the local cultural community by raising over $151,000 from 28 local businesses through this exciting program,” said Mayor Orsi. “The City is excited to once again bring the artsVest program to the community to help facilitate new partnerships between local businesses and culture organizations that will strengthen the local economy and help sustain cultural resources.”
The Board of Directors of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce is happy that Orillia has been selected for this funding opportunity. Chamber President Jed Levine says, “It is important for the business and cultural sectors to stay connected, so that they can grow together, stimulating economic development, and strengthening our communities.”
Anita Purcell, President of the Orillia & District Arts Council said, “artsVest provides a wonderful opportunity to promote partnerships between business and arts organizations, partnerships that will ultimately have a positive impact on Orillia’s socio-economic future. We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting program.”
artsVest Ontario will launch in each selected community with a networking event designed to bring together local private, public and cultural sectors to develop cultural assets and build the creative economy at a local level. The program will offer capacity-building sponsorship training workshops and resources to small- and mid-sized cultural organizations, designed to help them secure local private sector support. Arts and culture organizations will then be encouraged to apply for a matching incentive grant that will match, dollar for dollar, new sponsorships with local businesses up to $25000. Orillia’s launch is scheduled for June 4th, 2013, with lots of fanfare. Details will be circulated closer to the event.
Since the inception of the 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 over $3,457,000 in private sector sponsorship, resulting in an influx of more than $5,124,000 to the cultural economy.
For more information on the artsVest program, visit www.artsVest.com.
