Celebrating the arts in Oakville

The arts play a vital role in Ontario's communities, enhancing our quality of life and delivering significant economic benefits. Ontario's arts, culture and heritage sector represents $23.8 billion or 4 per cent of the province's GDP and over 301,000 jobs. (These figures measure all of the culture sector's output - including both culture and non-culture products, e.g. a theatre company may generate GDP from both ticket sales - a culture activity - and food and beverage services - a non-culture activity.)

I extend my congratulations to the Oakville artists and organizations who received funding from the Ontario Arts Council. Oakville has an active and vibrant arts community and this funding not only helps nurture our artists but also allows our arts organizations to continue to offer fantastic programming for everyone to enjoy.

Today, we acknowledge the work of artists and organizations from Oakville who over the past year have received funding from the Ontario Arts Council, the province's primary funding body for the arts. In 2014-2015, a total of $ 213,101 was awarded to professional artists and arts organizations in Oakville.

Organizations:

1. Danza Corpus Canada: $9,900 for Aboriginal and culturally diverse dance training
2. Guernica Editions Inc.: $27,891 for grants to book publishers
3. Oakville Arts Council: $6,570 for community arts councils
4. Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts: $24,500 for the Ontario Dances program
5. Oakville Children's Choir: $13,440 for choirs and vocal groups
6. Oakville Galleries: $105,500 for public art galleries
7. Oakville Symphony Orchestra: $7,500 for orchestras projects

Individuals:

1. David Kibuuka: $11,300 for arts education projects
2. Martha Ladly: $1,500 for exhibition assistance
3. Aaron Lam: $1,500 for Writers' Reserve (x2)
4. Michael Mirolla: $1,500 for Writers' Reserve
5. Kyle Tonkens: $500 for exhibition assistance

QUICK FACTS

1. For more than 50 years, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians. In 2014-2015, OAC funded 1,709 individual artists and 1,078 organizations in 204 communities across Ontario for a total of $52.1 million.
2. Studies show Ontarians believe culture is integral to their quality of life. A 2010 study by Environics Research reveals that a resounding 95 per cent of Ontarians believe the arts enrich the quality of our lives. A further 89 per cent believe that if their community lost its arts activities, people living there would lose something of value.
3. The economic impact of Ontario's arts and culture tourism is substantial. In 2010, arts and culture tourist spending contributed $3.7 billion to Ontario's GDP, as well approximately 67,700 jobs, $2.4 billion in wages, and $1.7 billion in taxes (including $3.1 million for Ontario municipalities), according to a report prepared by Research Resolutions & Consulting Ltd.