MPP Andrew: Arts and culture make us who we are – it’s time to fund them accordingly

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Jill Andrew, ONDP Critic for Culture & Heritage, brought forward a motion to echoing the calls from Ontario’s cultural institutions for stable and predicable funding.

“We must properly fund the arts, culture, and heritage sector so that it can remain the social medicine that it is for all of us”, said Andrew. “This Conservative government has not properly invested in the arts since they took office. In fact, they've made callous cuts.”

MPP Andrew introduced Motion 149, which asks the government to make urgently-needed investments in programs including the Ontario Arts Council, the Community Museum Operating Grant, and Experience Ontario.

“Our culture sector contributes $28 billion dollars towards Ontario’s GDP and is responsible for creating nearly 300,000 jobs” added Andrew. “Far beyond its economic value is its impact on our mental and physical health, our sense of belonging and identity, and its unique ability to help facilitate courageous conversations, to both evoke and provoke, to break through social isolation, to heal, document, and inspire hope and action.”

“Artists and cultural workers are in every single one of our communities across this province. They too are some of the hardest hit by the affordability and housing crisis as well. They are workers trying to make the best life possible for themselves and their families all while brightening up our day through their creative contributions. They deserve a government that respects and works for them too.”

Additional Quotes:

"Ontario's museums are a powerful engine for economic growth and workforce development, generating over $1.2 billion in economic activity annually. Yet, despite their importance, museums have faced years of stagnant funding. The number of museums receiving Community Museum Operating Grants has declined, and funding levels have remained unchanged since 2009. It's time for the province to reinvest in our museums and unlock their full potential."

Michael Rikley-Lancaster – Executive Director and Curator, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

"The arts and culture sector is experiencing an acute financial crisis due to rapidly rising costs in tandem with funding cuts - and is at a breaking point. Cultural festivals are a major contributor to Ontario's economy through tourism, local spending, and employment, yet many of us are chronically underfunded by project grants that change year-to-year without notice, causing organizations to buckle under additional pressure from government. The festival sector urgently needs sustainable multi-year funding agreements to ensure its longevity."

Emily Reid – Founder and Artistic Director, Toronto Outdoor Picture Show

Our costs have more than doubled while funding remains stagnant - and as a result we have had to decrease the number of artist's shows that we can subsidize and present. But we persist. Because Toronto is the home to more artists per capita than anywhere else in this country. Because we believe that every story worth telling is worth hearing. Because access to culture is essential for mental health and wellbeing. And because, without Toronto Fringe, we wouldn't have iconic Canadian works like Come from Away, Kim's Convenience, and Da Kink in my Hair. This funding increase would mean that organizations like the Toronto Fringe can begin to stabilize and refocus our efforts on providing impact to our artists and community members.”

Rachel Kennedy – Executive Director, Toronto Fringe Festival

“Creatives deserve to live, eat and thrive in this province and to be allotted the spaces to do so, and as is always the case, focusing on the voices of the #BlackBodyPolitic in this framework would be to the benefit of all creatives regardless of age, race, gender and ability. To increase funding for the arts with specific arts funding for Black people, the government has the opportunity to uplift entire communities, and address various social determinants of health, while also correcting historical inequities and barriers that have been an impediment to Black people thriving.”

Sedina Fiati – Lead Producer, The Black Pledge