Government Invests New $ in the Arts!

The provincial government’s March 22 budget contained exciting news for the arts. The Ontario Arts Council’s annual budget has been increased by $15 million over three years – a 37.5 per cent increase that will take it from the current $40 million to $55 million by 2009-10.

Last spring, OAC presented a business case for increased funds to the Ministry of Culture. Over the course of the past year, Ontario’s arts community has been active in its support for additional resources.

“We are delighted with the announcement and I congratulate the Minister of Culture, the Honourable Caroline Di Cocco, and her team for their work on behalf of the arts community,” said OAC Chair Martha Durdin. “The new funds will improve stability for Ontario’s arts community and at the same time encourage creativity and growth.”

Many people went out of their way to ensure that our elected representatives understood how widely the arts community supported the Ontario Arts Council’s business case for more resources. Arts community members met with MPPs and told the stories behind the dollar request. We know that the increase to the Ontario Arts Council has been allocated because the arts community made sure its collective voice was heard.

Our congratulations to: the Ontario Arts Foundation, which has received a one-time $10 million grant to enhance the Arts Endowment Fund Program; the Ontario Trillium Foundation which receives another $20 million in annual funding over the next three years; and the Ontario Media Development Corporation which receives an additional $5 million.

Over the next three years, OAC’s funds will be used to support new and established artists and arts organizations. It will also support growing needs in the francophone, Aboriginal, culturally diverse and regional arts communities. Arts education, outreach and touring will also receive increases.

OAC is embarking on a strategic planning process that will involve consultations with various elements of the arts community around the province. What we learn from this process will guide our decision-making for the new resources.

We will share more information as it becomes available.