Good News for Culture in the Ontario Budget

From Arts in Guelph - May/June, 2007

The provincial government's March 2007 budget finally brought some good news for arts and culture in Ontario. Although few details are yet available, it is known that the Ontario Arts Council will see an increase of 37.5 per cent over three years, raising its budget from the current $40 million to $55 million by 2009-2010. The funds will be used to "support new and established artists and arts organizations."

Another good news budget story involves the province's community museums, with the commitment of an additional $2.3 million to the Community Museum Operating Grant (CMOG) program. This is the first funding increase in 20 years for Ontario museums.

Supporters of community museums and the Ontario arts community had all spent considerable time advocating and presenting business cases for increases in their respective areas. Both Guelph Museums and Guelph Arts Council were active in these campaigns, and are eagerly waiting news as to how the funds will be distributed. The hope certainly is that both organizations, and the arts in general in this community will all reap some of the benefits of these increased dollars.

Another positive budget development is the fact that the Ontario government is "making one-time investment in 2006-07 of $10 million to enhance the Arts Endowment Fund, which provides steady income to about 260 organizations for use in their operations." Details of this how this "enhancement" will play out are yet to be announced, but certainly several organizations in Guelph stand to benefit if the earlier matching formula is reinstated, even if for just a short-term period.

Guelph Arts Council applauds these positive steps on the part of the provincial government, and is grateful to Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco for bringing a strong voice to the cabinet and caucus tables. It is refreshing to see this recognition for the important role that arts and culture play in Ontario communities.