Creative Industries has several initiatives on the go for 2024.
The organization lobbies for support of the local creative sector.
Holly Cunningham, Executive Director, told council on Tuesday night they’re working with a few groups to help resurrect a plan from 1999 to highlight an Arts and Entertainment District in the city.
“The idea that the downtown core is a place where many of our cultural and creative businesses exist. We need to leverage that and put some real investment towards that and acknowledge that as a district and what that can do for the downtown,” she says.
They’re also taking on a community murals project, working on a large database and listings project and more.
Cunningham says Creative Industries has a bright future with a sustainable budget, noting the city increased its support to $25,000 a couple years ago. “In 2022, the organization was able to leverage an additional $70,000 in project funding, which is a pretty good return on investment,” she says. “That is because of the opportunity to build capacity, have extra staff, write grants and take on more projects.”
Cunningham also says they were able to secure $20,000 in annual provincial operating funding through the Ontario Arts Council.
Highlights from 2023 included giving out $20,000 in micro-grants to six different community groups.
“The WKP Kennedy Gallery was using their funds to support five exhibitions in their main gallery. It also helped to fund the expansion of Dreamcoat Theatre summer programming for children and families in 2024,” she says. “It’s also funding a series of seniors play readings by Gateway Theatre.”
Among other things, they also hosted the Gallery Hop, with planning underway for events this year.
