On Tuesday, Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp announced provincial funding that looks to promote the growth and sustainability of cultural tourism in Prince Edward County.
Allsopp announced that County Arts and the County Stage Company will receive funding to develop, promote, and present their respective events through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.
This includes $40,000 to County Arts for their County Arts’ 40th Anniversary Season taking place April 1 to Nov. 11, 2026.
$25,000 will go towards the County Stage Company for its County Stage 2026: Expanded Repertory Festival and Fall Solo Series, scheduled to take place June 10 to Nov. 11, 2026.
You can read the full press release below:
The Ontario government is protecting and promoting the growth and sustainability of cultural tourism in Prince Edward County. Tyler Alsopp, the MPP for Bay of Quinte, announced today that County Arts and the County Stage Company will receive funding to develop, promote, and present their respective events through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF). The funding is as follows:
- County Arts will receive $40,000 for County Arts’ 40th Anniversary Season taking place April 1 to Nov. 11, 2026; and
- The County Stage Company will receive $25,000 for County Stage 2026: Expanded Repertory Festival and Fall Solo Series, taking place June 10 to Nov. 11, 2026.
“The arts are an economic driver across Ontario, offering direct employment and attracting people to visit businesses in communities like Prince Edward County,” said Allsopp. “Through the OCAF, our government continues to provide new investment to ensure organizations like County Arts and the County Stage Company can present high-quality programming highlighting a special cultural experience unique to our community.”
Today’s announcement is part of the government’s overall investment of $6 million into OCAF projects across Ontario over three years.
“Arts and culture organizations across Ontario enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike by providing one-of-a-kind events that proudly showcase the base that our province has to offer,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “This investment will help bring these products to life, while boosting local businesses, creating jobs, and enabling audiences of all ages to experience unique, made-in-Ontario programming that will create lifelong memories.”
Janna Smith, the Executive Director of County Arts, said the impact will be far reaching.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support provided by the Government of Ontario. This funding will take us to new heights in our 40th anniversary season, helping to strengthen our commitment to advancing contemporary artistic practice in Prince Edward County – which is home to the highest concentration of professional artists per capita in Ontario,” said Smith.
“We are excited to promote a full season of activities that will showcase the talent of more than 160 artists. The marketing dollars provided by OCAF will help attract new cultural tourists by increasing the County’s overall visibility within Canada’s cultural sector. Driving attendance and creating new earned revenue streams will ultimately strengthen our organizational capacity for many more years to come.”
Kristen Leboeuf, Managing Director of the County Stage Company, also welcomed the funding.
“This vital marketing investment will allow us to welcome more people to our 2026 Summer Theatre Season, helping us grow attendance and earned revenue so we can support artists and keep our doors open. Predictable marketing dollars also make us a stronger, more reliable partner for private sponsors who fuel cultural tourism, bringing longer stays and higher spending that majorly benefits our wonderful community,” Leboeuf said.
Every year, OCAF supports cultural tourism events and attractions across Ontario that offer distinct and diverse programming for residents and visitors. OCAF funds are provided as partially repayable loans, enabling the government to support a broader range of new attractions and special events. For every $1 that the Ontario government invests, $1.67 is in turn invested into the cultural tourism sector.
QUICK FACTS
- Since 1999, OCAF has supported more than 1,000 events, festivals and exhibitions across Ontario, which have attracted over 95 million attendees.
- OCAF provides support to a broad range of cultural tourism events, from large art and music festivals to smaller events that celebrate local Ontario culture and heritage.
(PHOTO: Office of Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp)
