MP Peter Braid Announces Federal Government Support for ArtsBuild Ontario Project

Peter Braid Announcement
(L to R) – Betty Anne Keller (City of Waterloo), Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran, Bill Poole (Waterloo Clay & Glass Gallery), Adele Dobkowski (ArtsBuild), MP Peter Braid.

WATERLOO, Ontario (July 24, 2012) – A new investment from the Government of Canada will benefit Ontario arts organizations and create jobs and growth. Peter Braid, Member of Parliament (Kitchener–Waterloo), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for an innovative project by ArtsBuild Ontario.

The project brings together seven Ontario non-profit and private sector partners. This collaborative initiative will allow 944 cultural organizations across Ontario and in Calgary—as well as service organizations, arts councils, and others that support their work—to benefit from new tools, resources, and training related to facilities management.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important arts organizations like ArtsBuild Ontario,” said Minister Moore. “By supporting this project, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage.”

“We commend ArtsBuild Ontario for spearheading this important partnership,” said Mr. Braid. “Kitchener–Waterloo has a thriving arts community, and we are pleased to support an organization that contributes not only to our cultural vitality, but also to our economy, here and across the province.”

“This strategic investment in ArtsBuild Ontario will unlock and amplify a huge untapped potential,” said Steve Mumford, ArtsBuild Board Chair, and Jason van Eyk, Advisory Committee Chair. “By collaboratively scaling up capacity building and knowledge mobilization around cultural infrastructure planning and management, Ontario will reap huge benefits in cultural tourism, economic revitalization, cross-sectoral collaboration, green and sustainable practices, and most importantly in community vibrancy and quality of living.”

The Government of Canada is providing $600,000 under the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. The Strategic Initiatives component provides funding for projects supported by multiple partners and benefiting many organizations. These initiatives help arts and heritage organizations diversify their revenue streams and strengthen the efficiency of their management and business practices.

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