With the event organization and art industries suffering in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government is stepping up to help out.
Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sports, Tourism and Culture Industries, flanked by Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, announced at the Empire Theatre Friday that they’ve opened a $9 million grant stream for festival and event organizers in the province.
The fund, dubbed the “Reconnect Festival and Event Program”, is aimed at helping keep places like the Empire Theatre active in ways that respect the health guidelines for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
MacLeod explained a few of the ways this will help festival and event organizers.
“We’ve opened up a $9 million granting stream for municipalities and festival/event organizers across our province so that we can safely reconnect through festivals and events either online or through digital and drive thru, static parades or through air shows.”
The money can be used for programming and production, marketing, app or website development and help for maintaining safety and health regulations.
Also present at the announcement was Mark Rashotte, owner and operator of the Empire Theatre. Throughout the pandemic there have been virtual shows run through the Empire. Rashotte says they’ve already taken advantage of an earlier grant opportunity by the province, and looks forward to using the new opportunity to improve and continue to keep the arts alive through the pandemic.
“Very pleased. Earlier on in the year we were able to take advantage of the Celebrate Ontario funding. We’re looking forward to hearing more about the new funding that was just announced today.”
Criteria for the funding can be found at the ministry website.
