Over $90,000 to Support Arts and Culture in Nipissing
July 8, 2026NIPISSING — Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing over $90,000 through the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) project grants and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF). This support is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by supporting workers, businesses and communities in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty.
“Our government understands the important role professional artists play in fostering dynamic and thriving communities across Ontario,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “This investment will help local artists and arts organizations continue to make a positive impact on our economy, create good jobs, and draw more visitors to Nipissing.”
Local funding includes:
- $24,750 to Aanmitaagzi through the OAC for an eight-week interdisciplinary community-engaged summer arts program for Indigenous youth based in Nipissing First Nation.
- $19,800 to Tears of our Sisters, through the OAC an Indigenous-led short film that explores resilience, ancestral protection, and the reclamation of Indigenous women’s stories through strength, ceremony, and spirit.
- $12,000 to ON THE EDGE Fringe Festival Through the OAC to coordinate, promote, and present the thirteenth annual ON THE EDGE Fringe Festival in North Bay, Ontario.
- $11,137 to the CanAfric Théâtre through the OAC for Under the Baobab Tree, a multidisciplinary event including West African live drumming, music, dance, food and storytelling.
- $10,500 to the Capitol Centre through the OAC to present Main Street Shuffle as part of the Bay Block Party 2026, enhancing performance and engagement opportunities for local musicians and artists.
- $7,500 to Nipissing Region Curatorial Collective Inc. through the OCAF through the for the “2026 Bay Beats Music and Performance Festival”, a celebration of Indigenous and multicultural performing and visual arts taking place across two weekends from September 11 to 20, 2026 in North Bay.
- $4,980 to Powassan & District Union Public Library through the OAC to present its Second Annual Summer Wrap-Up Music Festival, an outdoor live music event showcasing Ontario artists and bringing live music to communities.
“Aanmitaagzi is grateful for the Ontario Arts Council’s support for our Aanmitaagzi Summer Arts Program 2026. In its 19th year, this eight-week Indigenous multi arts training program assists in Indigenous arts, culture and knowledge continuity in our region. Youth will train with our professional Indigenous artists and knowledge keepers and elders. We will be pow wow regalia making, touring three pow wows in the region and creating a multi arts performance with stories from the youth.” Sid Bobb, Co-Artistic Director, Aanmitaagzi.
“On behalf of On the Edge Fringe Festival I extend my sincerest gratitude to the Ontario Arts Council for the investment of $12 000 into the festival. This support from the OAC helps us with costs such as festival staff, venue expenses and marketing. Overall the investment supports the continued effort of building a strong foundation for artists creating and presenting in Northern Ontario.” – Kelsey Ruhl, Artistic Director of On the Edge Fringe Festival.
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 the community.
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.
Additionally, OCAF funds are provided as partially repayable loans, enabling the government to support a broader range of new attractions and special events. For every $1 that the Ontario government invests, $1.67 is in turn invested into the cultural tourism sector.
Quick Facts
- the Ontario Arts Presenters Projects program. These grants will fund events and activities in every corner of the province – from Kenora to Windsor to Peterborough to Sault Ste. Marie – and all points in between.
Additional Information