Government of Ontario Invests Another $5 Million in the Ontario Arts Council

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has received another funding boost from the provincial government. On April 21, the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture, announced an additional $5 million for the Ontario Arts Council.

• The latest increase to OAC’s annual funding brings the total annual investment in the Ontario Arts Council to almost $60 million in 2009/2010.
  
• By 2010 most arts sectors will have seen their budgets grow by 30 per cent. Our project program budgets will be augmented to address the escalating needs of individual artists.
  
• The National and International Touring program will be substantially increased. We will continue to expand our Outreach unit, including the new Northeastern Arts consultant role based in Sudbury.
  
• Some programs will see increases because of their connection to our strategic priorities —Aboriginal, culturally diverse, francophone and regional arts communities.
  
• Last July, the Ontario Arts Council launched Connections and Creativity, a five-year strategic plan to guide its overall direction in support of Ontario’s arts community. This new funding will help us achieve the goals outlined in the strategic plan.