AlgomaTrad Receives $1.5 Million Funding Towards Infrastructure Project
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MEDIA RELEASE – October 07, 2022
AlgomaTrad is pleased to announce that the organization has received $1 Million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and $500,000 from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor). These funds will support AlgomaTrad’s Infrastructure Project development of the AlgomaTrad Centre into a year-round arts and culture hub for camps, festivals, workshops, performances, classes, and community dances for both the local population and for visitors from outside the region.
Upon learning of NOHFC’s funding, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha noted that the people of Algoma-Manitoulin have long enjoyed the generous support of many programs and projects by NOHFC. “I am always amazed and so proud that such artistic talent and energy is consistently showcased in this region.” When asked about the contributions offered by Algoma Trad, Mantha stated, “As MPP, I am so happy to see AlgomaTrad continue to garner the recognition and support that it well deserves. On behalf of the thousands of local supporters and visitors from far and wide who enjoy our fine artisans’ contributions, I want to thank NOHFC for their long-time confidence in our people and their generous support.”
“I am very pleased that AlgomaTrad has secured FedNor funding to for the AlgomaTrad Centre infrastructure project,” said Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing. “This funding will be a significant benefit to the arts and culture sectors in the North. Constructing a cultural hub on St. Joseph Island will allow AlgomaTrad to provide more programming for local arts and artists, better attract tourists, and build on their established reputation as one of Northern Ontario’s best cultural organizations.”
AlgomaTrad is a charitable arts organization dedicated to enriching lives and building joyful community through the celebration and sharing of traditional music, dance, and heritage arts. Since 2004, the annual AlgomaTrad Family Camp has been bringing people to St. Joseph Island from across Canada, the US, and beyond, and the organization’s concerts, dances, and workshop programs have benefitted thousands of participants from the local region. AlgomaTrad is building on 20 years of experience to develop the AlgomaTrad Centre, which will be a welcoming community space with programming and events for people of diverse ages, cultures, abilities, and interests.
The AlgomaTrad Centre infrastructure project is well underway thanks to the organization’s successful AlgomaTrad Grows fundraising campaign which raised $350,000 to help leverage government funding. Information about recent and current building projects at the Centre are available atvhttps://algomatrad.ca/2022/09/algomatrad-centre-infrastructure-update-september-2022/ .
Projected costs for the AlgomaTrad Centre project have increased dramatically due to supply chain and inflation issues caused by the Covid pandemic and the AlgomaTrad Board of Directors and its Artistic Directors Julie Schryer and Pat O’Gorman continue their fundraising efforts to support the project. Currently, AlgomaTrad is running a 50/50 cash draw. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/algomatrad, through the AlgomaTrad website. Ticket buyers must be 18 years of age or older and in the province of Ontario to purchase. The winning ticket will be drawn on Monday, October 10, 2022. (Licence #RAF1265336)
AlgomaTrad acknowledges the generous contributions of its volunteers, participants, artists, funders, and supporters in its continuing efforts to bring the AlgomaTrad Centre vision to fruition.
