The Orillia District Arts Council (ODAC ), a not-for-profit registered charity, is pleased to announce it is one of the successful funding recipients in Simcoe County of the Government of Canada's Community Services Recovery Fund. The federal funding of $28,000.00 represents a key opportunity to continue support for art-related events of all genres for community members of all ages in Orillia and area.
The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment from the Federal Government of $400 million to help community service organizations (charities, non-profits, Indigenous governing bodies) adapt and modernize to improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services.
The funding is being administered by Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross. More information can be found at: communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca
""ODAC's mission is to serve as an Arts Support Organization, bringing people and resources together to enrich the cultural, economic, and intellectual life of Orillia and surrounding areas. It has been able to consistently meet its Mission, Vision, and Values," notes Chair, Mike Bailey.
"However, as with many other organizations, ODAC suffered during the pandemic closures," Bailey continued. "It has been a struggle to find funding to provide events and volunteer efforts can only go so far when assembling culturally significant activities. A new approach was called for."
The Community Services Recovery Fund is a boon to ODAC's rebranding and growth. The Board noted that the funds will be dedicated to bringing missing links to the front burner. ODAC will be developing a new Strategic Plan as well as a Revenue Generation Plan. These will allow us to take a huge step forward, not solely depending on grants and donations from various sources. A new approach will allow for innovative partnerships in event and program planning and assure proper renumeration for artists sharing their work in the community.
"Community service organizations are at the heart of communities like Orillia and area, creating a sense of belonging from coast to coast to coast. The Community Services Recovery Fund will enable organizations like the Orillia District Arts Council that serve our diverse communities to adapt and modernize their programs and services and to invest in the future of their organizations, staff and volunteers. Together, we can rebuild from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a more just and equitable future for those in Orillia," says the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds.
ODAC looks forward to the next several months of this process. We will be holding discussions with local artists, businesses, and stakeholders to arrive at target goals and strategies. As ODAC continues to bring a variety of programming to Orillia, this funding will allow it to move forward and assure a vibrant arts community in Orillia and area gets the support and attention it deserves.
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