Today, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller announced that, through the Ontario Arts Council, the province is supporting Festival of the Sound to help pay for artistic and operational expenses.
“Our government understands how valuable culture is to the lives of Ontarians and to our communities,” said Miller. “This support from the Ontario Arts Council will help Festival of the Sound continue to create jobs and attract visitors to our great community.”
Ontario is supporting 50 theatre and music organizations in the latest round of operating grants. This funding will contribute to paying expenses such as programming costs and employee wages.
“I am especially proud to announce this funding in this the 40th year of The Festival of the Sound,” said Miller. “Over the past 40 years this Festival has grown into a great event that attracts music lovers to Parry Sound. In fact it was recently identified as one of the 100 top festivals in Ontario by Festivals & Events Ontario.”
Ontario is investing $2.2 million in this round of grants to theatre and music organizations. Culture is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Ontario economy, employing more than 270,000 people and contributing more than $25 billion to Ontario’s economy.
The Festival of the Sound is getting about $52,000.
“The Festival of the Sound is very appreciative of the financial support we receive from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Arts Council. This money goes directly back into the local economy through area businesses which provide goods and services to the Festival,” said Alison Scarrow-McGarvey, Executive Director. “Without this grant, it would be extremely challenging for our organization to put on a world class music festival year after year.”