Markham’s Varley gallery gets piece of $25M provincial pie to support starving arts sector

One-time investment to 140 arts organizations to help survive COVID-19 pandemic

Yorkregion.com
March 4, 2021
Heidi Riedner

Markham’s Varley Art Gallery is receiving part of a $25-million investment the provincial government announced it's making toward the arts sector.

The one-time investment to 140 arts organizations is designed to help artists and arts organizations survive the COVID-19 pandemic, remain solvent and prepare for a time when they can fully reopen their facilities, resume full programming and welcome back their visitors and audiences.

“Arts organizations make an important contribution to our province, providing thousands of jobs for musicians, writers, painters, actors, dancers, stagehands and the many others working behind the scenes,” Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Lisa MacLeod said in a statement.

“They entertain us, but they also play an important role in the mental health and well-being of Ontarians and an equally important role in the province’s economic and social recovery. Providing the help they need is a critical part of our plan to support individuals, families and job creators impacted by the virus, while laying the foundation for a strong economic recovery.”

The list of recipients includes Toronto’s Hot Docs, the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, Orillia’s Mariposa Folk Foundation, Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover, the London Arts Council, and the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa.

Additionally, $1 million is being allocated to directly support artists and creators from across the province. Eligibility requirements and application deadlines will be available on the Ontario Arts Council website.

The funding initiative is part of the government’s 2020 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, the next phase of a comprehensive action plan to respond to the devastating health and economic impacts of COVID-19.