The Ontario government has committed an investment of over $8 million over the next three years to bolster cultural tourism in communities across the province. This year, $2.4 million from this investment will be channeled through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF) to support 40 arts, heritage, and cultural organizations in creating, promoting, and hosting top-notch events. These initiatives are designed to boost local economies and provide employment opportunities with competitive wages.
Ontario’s cultural tourism events and attractions offer residents and visitors alike unique experiences that create lasting memories. Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, emphasized the importance of these investments, stating that they will help bring one-of-a-kind events to life, benefiting local businesses, creating well-paying jobs, and enabling audiences of all ages to experience the best that Ontario has to offer.
Minister Lumsden unveiled the funding today at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton. The theater has received a grant of $60,000 to support its 50th-anniversary season, which runs from March 26 to June 16. One of the highlights of the season is the debut of “Beautiful Scars,” a production by Tom Wilson and Shaun Smyth, inspired by Wilson’s book “Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers, and the Road Home.”
Kelly Straughan, Executive Director of Theatre Aquarius, expressed gratitude for the funding provided through OCAF, which will enable them to expand their marketing efforts in their 50th season. She highlighted the world-class team led by Tom Wilson for the world premiere of his new musical, “Beautiful Scars,” which has a deep connection to Hamilton. The production is a celebration of Indigenous identity that is expected to resonate with theatergoers in the region and beyond.
This year marks the 25th milestone of OCAF, which has provided unwavering support to over 900 events, festivals, and exhibitions throughout Ontario since 1999, attracting over 91 million attendees. OCAF disburses funds in the form of partially repayable loans, facilitating additional project support. For every $1 invested by the Ontario government, a subsequent $1.69 is channeled into cultural tourism.
Mary E. Hofstetter, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Chair, expressed gratitude on behalf of the OCAF board for the government’s support and confidence in the three-year renewal of the Fund. She stated that it will allow them to invest in more exceptional projects like Theatre Aquarius’s 50th anniversary and other impactful events happening across Ontario this spring, summer, and fall.
