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Arts groups argue grants are community investmentContinued from page 1hold free professional development workshops Centre, but said this should not come at the Mateljan said Oakville Galleries was able toAn investment in the arts is an investmentfor not for profit groups and more.expense of the Cultural Grants program.use the grant to get another $432,000 in sup-in the community.Elimination of the grants and subsidies will The arts groups that receive funding each port from provincial and federal governmentBehune said the Oakville Arts Council is ahurt our community for the very reasons I have year from the Towns Cultural Grants program sources through grants and special projectcharitable, not for profit arts organization thatexpressed so far. Arts and culture activities help will need support to transition into Queen funding.has been a part of Oakville for more than 30us connect with one another and contribute to Elizabeth Park and help ensure our community Fundraising efforts, membership programsyears. The council is currently comprised of our quality of life, said Behune.has a welcoming vibrant and dynamic public and other efforts conducted by Oakville Galleriesmore than 250 members and another 200-plusWe must celebrate the local arts and space, she said.raised a further $185,000.free informational members.encourage a creative and innovative commu-Whittington said the Cultural Grants pro-All of these funds are needed to maintainThe arts council receives about 40 per centnity.gram is also valuable because the groups that and adapt their facilities and programs to theof its revenue from the Town, which BehuneMegan Whittington, executive director of receive this funding use it to leverage $1.23 ever-changing world, she said.said, is used to pay the rent for its facilities andthe Oakville Arts Council, also spoke during the million each year from other revenue sources CommUnity Arts Space executive directoroperating costs.meeting in support of the $98,000 Cultural to support their services.Britta Martini-Miles also spoke to the commit-Behune said this money is also used toGrants.She said the collective audience of the 15 tee about the arts related budget reductionleverage another $113,000 to help deliver ser-During her presentation, Whittington said arts groups, who received Cultural Grants options stating arts should not be the first placevices to their members and the greater com-the Cultural Grants should not be cut, but funding this year, is 42,500 people.the Town looks when it wants to make cuts.munity.increased due to their widespread usage.Keeping such a large group at home trans-Town staff have been asked to come for-We currently represent about 500 mem-Over the last 15 years, more than $1.2 mil-lates into economic spin-off for local business-ward with budget options that could eliminatebers including 155 individual artists and friendslion has helped support our local arts groups es, Whittington said.and trim off the fat from the budget, she said.of the arts, 50 arts-friendly businesses, 56 not-ensuring Oakville has a vibrant arts communi-Oakville Galleries board members Rick Cutting arts funding would not cut off thefor-profit arts groups, whose membershipsty. This represents 42 different arts groups in Mateljan and Shelli Cassidy-McIntosh also fat. As far as were concerned cutting the artsexceed 3,000 members, and as of July an addi-Oakville over the last 15 years, said addressed the meeting speaking against the funding would cut into the heart of creative andtional 237 free informational members seekingWhittington.budget reduction option that would see the livable Oakville. The key message this after-to learn more about arts in Oakville, saidThis has been a tremendous investment in elimination of the $380,400 Galleries grant.noon to you is do not cut the grants to the artsBehune.Oakville. You have not only invested money in Cassidy-McIntosh said there is no shortage organizations, neither the Oakville ArtsWith the ripple impact of these individualsquality arts activity, but you have demonstrated of interest in the Oakville Galleries with more Councils operational grants, the Townsand organizations and we literally reach thou-to the residents of Oakville, the ones who give than 17,000 visitors attending the galleries Cultural Grant, the extended library hours orsands in our community. countless volunteer hours to these groups that local programs in 2010 with another 5,000 the grants to the Oakville Galleries.Behune said the arts council uses the Townsyou believe in the work they are doing to enrich additional visitors to off site exhibitions.The 2011 Budget Committee will considerfunding to represent these members, publicizeour community. Oakville Galleries have also recently estab-the comments as it deliberates on the 2011events, publish an online arts directory, findWhittington said she was pleased to see the lished a youth council leading to the holding of Budget on Feb. 24 and 28 (if required) withspace for their members to use, publish thesupport council had shown toward the redevel-several well-attended events for teens including final approval expected on March 7.magazine Arts About Town three times a year,opment of the Queen Elizabeth Park Community exhibitions of youth artwork.Thank You Oakville for again selecting us #1 in the category of Favourite DentistThe Secret of a Perfect SmileDr. Phelan knows that the fi rst step in creating a great smile and any new patient relationship is clear communication. 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