Chatham-Kent Arts and Culture Network has won municipal funding via the Hydro One Reserve to continue its community mission.
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The network, which works to expand the arts locally, will get $25,000 a year for three years at no cost to taxpayers.
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“We are grateful to Mayor Darrin Canniff and the municipality. . . for their demonstrated support of the arts in our community,” network chairperson Dan White said in a release Tuesday.
The funding comes at an exciting time for arts and culture” in Chatham-Kent, he said, following:
- Recent appointment of the municipal FLiCK (Filming Locally in Chatham-Kent) co-ordinator
- Launch of ArtFusion, the network’s podcast highlighting community arts and artists
- The Art of the Matter on CKXS 99.1, a monthly CK arts update sponsored by the network
- Launch of this year’s Emerging Youth Artist Scholarship.
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Formed in 2021, the network is a voluntary non-profit group encouraging public participation in arts and culture, and offering residents opportunities to experience it.
Its initiatives include the Chatham-Kent Arts and Culture Heroes Wall of Fame and the annual studio tour. The network offers local creatives in-kind support, such as cross-promotion and monthly artist profiles., and advocates for greater community and municipal support of the arts.
“This funding represents a significant step forward. We intend to maximize its impact through the creation of innovative programs benefiting the arts community and citizens of Chatham-Kent,” White added.
“For every dollar invested, our goal is to see at least a $3 return. Chatham-Kent’s vibrant arts community contributes immensely to the livability of our communities offering a place to meet, to be astonished, moved, and entertained every day.”
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The Ontario Arts Council reports the arts sector contributed $27 billion to the province’s gross domestic product in 2020.
“Thriving cultural communities contribute to the livability of communities, attracting talent, business and encouraging growth,” the network release said. “They support diversity, equity and inclusion by giving a platform to emerging voices, often from marginalized populations.”
For more information, visit ckartsandculturenetwork.comor check network social media for details on upcoming arts events.
The ArtFusion Podcast can be heard on Spotify at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ck-arts-and-culture-netwo.
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