Ontario Supporting Local Cultural Tourism Events

$40,000investment will boost the local economy and create good-paying jobs

The Ontario government is supporting the growth of cultural tourism in Aurora. Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora announced today that the Corporation of the Town of Aurora will receive $40,000 in funding through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF).

“Arts and culture organizations are important to Aurora’s economy and its residents,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “This support from the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund will help the Town of Aurora continue to provide unique, made-in-Ontario events and programming in our community and develop new ways to experience and proudly showcase culture right here in our own backyard.”

The Ontario government, through OCAF is supporting the Town of Aurora to develop, promote and present the Aurora Town Square Grand Opening.

“Ontario’s cultural tourism events and attractions provide residents and visitors alike with unique experiences that create lifelong memories,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “The investments that our government is making in and through OCAF will help to bring these one-of-a-kind events to life, boosting local businesses, creating good-paying jobs and enabling audiences of all ages to experience the best that Ontario has to offer.”

“I want to thank the Ontario Government for this very important investment in our community,” said Tom Mrakas, the Mayor of Aurora. “These funds are helping us ensure community members build a strong and lasting connection with Aurora Town Square, where they will have access to world-class arts and culture right here in our downtown. This will not only help us foster a distinct arts and culture community in Aurora, it also brings more people to our downtown to support our great businesses and grow our local economy.”

OCAF funds are provided as partially repayable loans, which enable even more projects to be supported. For every $1 that the Ontario government invests, $1.69 is in turn invested in cultural tourism.

QUICK FACTS

•   This year marks the 25th anniversary of OCAF. It has supported more than 900 events, festivals and exhibitions across Ontario since 1999, which have attracted over 91 million attendees.
• OCAF provides support to cultural tourism events that range in size from large art and music festivals to smaller events that celebrate local Ontario culture and heritage.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• OCAF continues to accept applications for new events and offers applicants flexibility regarding project timing and scope. Please visit the OCAF website for more information on the organization and to view a full list of recipients.