$160,000 to Local Arts and Culture
August 5, 2025NIPISSING — Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced the Ontario government is investing over $160,000 through the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) project grants. The funding supports job creation, empowers local artists, and helps community arts and culture organizations thrive.
“Our government understands the important role that the arts play in fostering dynamic and thriving communities across Ontario,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “This investment will help artists and arts organizations in Nipissing continue to make a positive impact on our economy, while creating good jobs, and drawing in more visitors to our community.”
Local funding includes:
- $64,539 to Aanmitaagzi through the Multi and Inter-Arts Organizations: Operating Program for fusing art-creation with education, professional development and social activism to nurture traditional practices, and carry them forward within a contemporary context.
- $42,000 to Friday Creeations through the Dance Organizations: Operating Program for creating, producing, and presenting dance works inspired by Anishinaabe culture, while combining traditional and contemporary dance elements, including dance works for performance and film, teaching, mentorship, and community-based experiences.
- $20,233 to Near North Mobile Media Lab Collective through the Media Arts Organizations: Operating Program for operating a mobile production facility that travels to serve artists and organizations in other communities, while in addition running creator spaces for youth.
- $17,250 to North Bay Symphony Orchestra through the Music Production and Presentation Projects Program for presenting its 2025-26 artistic season, including four Main Series and three Chamber Series performances.
- $15,000 to White Water Gallery through the Visual Arts Artist-Run Centres and Organizations: Operating Program for exhibitions, performances, off-site events, and arts education in partnership with local community groups and schools.
“We’re grateful for the vital funding from the Ontario Arts Council, which enables us to help artists create meaningful work and sustain a vibrant arts community in a region where opportunities are limited but creativity runs deep.” – Sharon Switzer, Executive Director, Near North Mobile Media Lab.
“On behalf of the North Bay Symphony Orchestra, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the Ontario Arts Council for their tremendous support of music and education in Northern Ontario. This vital funding enables the NBSO to continue delivering exceptional musical experiences across our region. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Honourable Vic Fedeli and the Government of Ontario for their continued investment in arts and culture.” – David Bernardi, President of North Bay Symphony Orchestra.
These multi-media arts operating programs provide support to not-for-profit, professional dance, visual arts artist-run centres, media arts, musical, and multi and inter arts organizations in Ontario to help them make or present high-quality work for a wide range of audiences and participants. This support will enable the local arts organizations in Nipissing to continue to foster the creation and production of art to benefit our community.
In addition, the Music Production and Presentation Projects program grant is designed to maximize the positive impact of Ontario’s cultural sector in local communities throughout the province. The program supports the development and presentation of both live and virtual music of all genres by Ontario-based professional musicians, organizations and associations. Supported activities include rehearsal and repertoire development, single performances/concerts, concert series, music festivals, opera productions and second-stage opera workshops.
The operational funding is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by supporting workers, businesses, communities and jobs in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty, while creating a solid foundation for a strong, resilient and competitive future.
QUICK FACTS
- In 2024-25, OAC invested $52.2 million in 204 communities across 123 Ontario ridings, providing 1,969 grants to individual artists and 1,030 grants to organizations.
- The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. It provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, organizations and associations, supporting a range of arts activities and disciplines.
- The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. It provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations, supporting a range of arts activities and disciplines.
- Ontario is investing in 30 arts organizations through the Multi and Inter-Arts: Operating program.
- Ontario is investing in 26 arts organizations and seven individual artists through the Music Production and Presentation Projects program.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION