The Stratford Festival Theatre is set to receive more than $2 million from the Ontario Arts Council.
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae shared the news in a statement from his office on Monday. The funding aims “to support good jobs, empower local artists, and help community arts organizations thrive,” according to Rae’s statement.
The Ontario Arts Council, which is providing this funding, operates as part of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
This grant falls under the Ontario Arts Council’s Major Organizations: Contribution Agreements program. This program offers operating assistance to major arts organizations that hold significance within their sectors and regions through their artistic activities, community involvement, and organizational capability.
This financial support will enable the Stratford Festival Theatre to keep showcasing works by William Shakespeare along with many other popular theater productions across its four stages while also offering arts educational programs for all ages.
The total amount awarded comes to $2,056,998.
“Our government recognizes the important role arts and cultural organizations play in strengthening communities and growing local economies,” said MPP Rae. “This investment will help the Stratford Festival continue delivering world-class performances while supporting tourism, creating good jobs, and generating economic benefits for Stratford and Perth County.”
“The Ontario Arts Council provides important support,” said Stratford Festival Executive Director Anita Gaffney. “This annual operating investment is directed towards mounting a season of 12 to 14 plays and enabling the Festival to bring together an accomplished team of artists and artisans to breathe life into these plays. This investment, in turn, generates prosperity for Stratford and the surrounding region with $277 million in economic impact as a result of the Festival’s output.”
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