News Release – Municipality of Chatham-Kent Invests in Arts & Culture
News Release
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2024
Municipality of Chatham-Kent Invests in Arts & Culture
Chatham – The Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Network (CKACN) is excited to announce funding from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent via the Hydro One Reserve. CKACN is granted $25,000 annually for the next three years at no cost to the taxpayers. The funds support the organization’s goal of expanding arts & culture in Chatham-Kent.
“We are grateful to Mayor Darrin Canniff and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for their demonstrated support of the arts in our community,” says Dan White, CKACN chair. “This funding comes at an exciting time for arts and culture in Chatham-Kent, with the recent appointment of the Municipal FLICK Coordinator; the launch of ArtFusion, CKACN’s podcast highlighting the arts and artists in CK, The Art of the Matter on CKXS 99.1 a monthly C-K area arts update sponsored by CKACN,and launch of this year’s Emerging Youth Artist Scholarship.”
Formed in 2021, the Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Network is a voluntary non-profit organization that works to encourage public participation in arts and culture and provide opportunities for citizens to experience the arts. Noted initiatives include the annual Studio Tour and Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Heroes Wall of Fame. The CKACN provides support to local arts practitioners through in-kind support such as cross promotion and profiling local artists on a monthly basis. It is also an active voice for increased community and municipal support of the arts.
“This funding represents a significant step forward. We intend to maximize its impact through the creation of innovative programs benefiting the arts community and citizens of Chatham-Kent,” continues White. “For every dollar invested our goal is to see at least a $3 return! Chatham-Kent’s vibrant arts community contributes immensely to the livability of our communities offering a place to meet, to be astonished, moved, and entertained every day.”.
Arts and Culture are a significant part of Ontario’s economy The Ontario Arts Council reports that in 2020; the sector contributed $27 billion to the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Thriving cultural communities contribute to the livability of communities, attracting talent, business and encouraging growth.They support diversity, equity and inclusion by giving a platform to emerging voices, often from marginalized populations.
To find out more about the Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Network, visit ckartsandculturenetwork.com. The ArtFusion Podcast can be heard on Spotify at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ck-arts-and-culture-netwo. Information about upcoming arts events can be found on the CKACN Facebook and Instagram pages.
For interviews contact:
Dan White, Board Chair
Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Board of Directors
Email: dan@ckartsandculturenetwork.com
Phone: 519-312-2164
