Northern Ontario's creative economy gets a boost

Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry
News Release

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Northern Ontario communities are promoting and strengthening their arts and heritage programming, which will attract tourists and create jobs.

Fifteen communities in Northern Ontario are collaborating on the Community Arts and Heritage Education Project. The project will bring workshops and seminars in arts education, heritage and culture to the North, where best practice models and strategies will be shared. This will allow the communities to enhance their arts education programs, events and festivals to attract more tourists, develop new arts-related businesses and create jobs in their areas.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is providing $30,000 toward this project through its Infrastructure and Community Development Program.

QUOTES

“Our government is committed to helping Northern Ontario communities develop non-traditional sectors such as arts and culture to improve their overall investment readiness and diversify their economies.” - Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

QUICK FACTS

The Community Arts and Heritage Education Project began in March 2003 and is based in Thunder Bay.

Atikokan, Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Red Rock, Nipigon, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Marathon, Sault Ste. Marie, Manitoulin Island, Sudbury and North Bay will take part in the project.

Since January 2005, the NOHFC’s Infrastructure and Community Development Program has invested more than $162 million in some 323 projects in Northern Ontario.

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