Demand for Region arts and culture grants exceed funds again

With $480,165 in requests from a budget of $250,000, Niagara’s Investment in Culture Program has its work cut out for it, Niagara Region’s planning committee has learned.

The program was created in 2014 by the Region to support cultural groups and invest in celebrations of the area’s history, people and identity.

Festivals that received support in 2016-17 include: In the Soil Arts Festival (Suitcase in Point) $30,000; Celebrations of Nations (FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre) $22,500; Two-way Theatre Initiative (Shaw Festival) $20,000; Screwball Comedy (Norm Foster Theatre Festival) $20,000; and, Canada 150 Harvest Homecoming Festival (Lincoln) $20,000.

A panel made up of community members and Rregional councillors, with the support of staff, goes over the requests, which are ranked.

“I just want to say that I’ve gained a much deeper knowledge and appreciation of this whole program, and I can say it is really worth our effort,” said St. Catharines Coun. Kelly Edgar, a member of the committee that decides how the grants are handed out, said Wednesday.

The funded projects took place in 11 of 12 local municipalities and supported the hiring of 347 Niagara cultural workers, on both fulland part-time bases. Full-time hires alone more than tripled in 2016-17 over 2015-16 figures. Local municipalities and non-profit cultural organizations based in Niagara are eligible, and there is a matching funding component for all applicants.

The grants are determined ultimately by a vote, said Marian Bannerman, the Region’s program manager for grants and incentives.

This year’s recommendations are anticipated to come to regional council in March.

Some projects are funded at the level of the initial request. Many are pro-rated, the committee heard.