{"id":105290,"date":"2024-06-20T14:27:17","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T18:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=105290"},"modified":"2024-06-21T02:00:02","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T06:00:02","slug":"scoop-federal-government-announces-cash-festivals-events-southern-ontario","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/06\/20\/scoop-federal-government-announces-cash-festivals-events-southern-ontario\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | The Federal Government Announces Cash For Festivals & Events In Southern Ontario"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
The Beaches International Jazz Festival; a concert in Kew Gardens in 2005 (Photo: Captmondo\/cropped\/GNU FDL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario today announced funding for 12 festivals and events that take place across the region. The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism, was on hand to make the announcement in Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe local tourism economy in Toronto and across southern Ontario is fueled by community events large and small. Investing in the growth of festivals, events and tourism operators directly supports the growth of regional economies while fostering community spirit. Our government will continue to invest in initiatives that ensure positive growth for our tourism sector across southern Ontario,\u201d comments Minister of Tourism Soraya Martinez Ferrada<\/strong>\u00a0in a statement.<\/p>\n

The Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival, among Canada\u2019s largest free jazz festivals with about 1 million audience members each year, and Ontario Culture Days, were among the biggest beneficiaries of the program.<\/p>\n

The funding recognizes that festivals and other events draw a significant number of participants and audience members from outside the area, and contribute to local economies. The funds come from the Tourism Growth Program.<\/p>\n

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (or FedDev Ontario) typically works with businesses and other organizations to encourage economic growth. This seems to be one of the few times the agency has worked directly with the music\/entertainment industry, judging by the projects listed on its webpage. Other recent investments, for example, include the tourism industry in Niagara Region, and the life sciences sector throughout Southern Ontario. The agency also offers an ongoing program that businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs can apply to.<\/p>\n

FedDev Ontario\u2019s statement also acknowledges the role that festivals play in bringing people together, and helping to make communities stronger and more vibrant.<\/p>\n

Projects<\/h2>\n

The recently announced round of funding went towards a variety of projects.<\/p>\n

Ontario Culture Days<\/strong> will receive $200,000 for a project that will test using a system of hub cities across Southern Ontario a framework for staging events. Each location will serve as an anchor for future growth of the festival, and will offer audiences specialized programming and enhanced amenities.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery fall, the Ontario Culture Days festival unites audiences with over 1,000 arts, culture, and heritage events across the province. With this funding, we will develop solutions to facilitate visitors\u2019 engagement with the fall festival, enhancing their experiences and connecting them with Ontario\u2019s diverse communities,\u201d comments Ruth Burns<\/strong>, Executive Director, Ontario Culture Days.<\/p>\n

The Beaches International Jazz Festival Society<\/strong> received $112,000 to expand their reach. The Festival Society is using the funds to expand its Beaches Jazz Concert Series to cities outside Toronto, and across Southern Ontario, from February through December 2024. The expanded series will feature Canadian artists, and is designed to grow awareness of the main festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Beaches International Jazz Festival Society is honoured to have received support to help launch our new Concert Series. This new program will see the creation of 28 live musical performances that will take place across southern Ontario in 11 municipalities,\u201d said Lido Chilelli<\/strong>, Executive Producer, Beaches International Jazz Festival Society<\/p>\n