David Orazietti gets artsy fartsy

PRESS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, M.P.P SAULT STE. MARIE

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Orazietti announces $14,300 for the Algoma Artist Education project

McGuinty Government expanding opportunities for young artists

Sault Ste. Marie - The Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District will train artists to work as art educators with elementary school teachers and students in Algoma thanks to a $14,300 grant from the McGuinty government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“We recognize the importance of supporting arts organizations such as the Arts Council as they encourage our children and youth to develop skills and knowledge of art,” said Orazietti. “With this investment, our government is helping to expand artistic opportunities for young people in our community.”

The Arts Council is a registered charity that was incorporated in 1968. 

Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in the community by promoting and fostering the arts in all of its forms by encouraging education in and appreciation of all aspects of the arts. 

It provides professional development workshops for artists, monthly meet and greet networking events, performance art and exhibition opportunities for artists such as Art in the Park.

The Arts Council also provides children's programming like the March Break Fun Art Creation and Summer Craft Days workshops.

“We are so thankful that the Ontario Government and the Trillium Foundation realize the importance of art, the artist and the value of introducing arts and the artist into the elementary school,” said Sandra Houston, Executive Director, Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie & District.

The Arts Council provides its members with access to its office and use of its equipment to create promotional materials for their work, to research and apply for grants and to gain new skills through hands-on experience. 

In 2007, the Arts Council of SSM and District was awarded the Service Sector Award from the Chamber of Commerce. 

The Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District has a strong reputation and it brings a wide variety of events and programs to our community, drawing from a large pool of dedicated volunteers. 

Other McGuinty Government investments and support to local groups total over two million dollars and include organizations such as:

- $75,000 Sault Ste. Marie Skatepark
- $40,000 Shadows of the Mind Film Festival
- $80,000 Sault International Youth Association
- $40,000 Christy’s Light Foundation
- $40,000 Phoenix Rising Non-Profit Homes Inc.
- $30,000 Canadian Hearing Society
- $48,800 Sault Search and Rescue
- $75,000 Soo Curlers Association
- $128,000 Habitat for Humanity
- $35,000 United Way of Sault Ste. Marie
- $80,000 Algoma Residential Community Hospice
- $75,000 Children’s Rehabilitation Centre

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario and supports the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.trilliumfoundation.org

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