Thursday June 4, 2020
The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough have joined forces to launch a fundraising campaign for the Peterborough Arts Alive Fund, an EC3 initiative to provide Strategic Recovery and Resilience Grants to professional arts organizations with charitable status in Peterborough and the surrounding region. This Fund will provide grants of up to $10,000 each to local arts organizations working in any discipline and in any capacity (creation, production, exhibition, presentation, performance, etc.) to assist them in managing the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, respond creatively to the current situation and prepare to effectively reopen/relaunch when they can.
The initial idea came from local arts supporter Deborah Berrill leading a group of private donors who, along with EC3 Executive Director Su Ditta, EC3 Board member Peg McCracken and the Community Foundation, are hoping to raise $100,000 for the Peterborough Arts Alive Fund.
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the arts community. This is a sector that makes an enormous contribution to the quality of life in Peterborough, and plays a profound role in our social and economic well-being. Both organizations and individual artists are suffering as facilities close, exhibitions are cancelled, audiences drift, box office revenues disappear and fees and commissions evaporate. These grants will allow the arts community to pivot, adapt, collaborate, plan and retool for the current situation.
Local artists and arts organizations provide Peterborough with an amazing cultural life, one that we appreciate even more right now as their work lifts our spirits, offers us meaning and brings us together. It’s so important that we support them through this difficult period, so they can keep doing what they do best.
We live in an extraordinary community that combines an outstanding tradition of philanthropic giving with a passion for the arts and respect for the outstanding artists and arts organizations that create the vibrant cultural life we are so fortunate to enjoy here. To start the campaign for the Peterborough Arts Alive Fund with such a generous donation is inspiring beyond measure and we are very grateful.
Details of the grant program will be announced shortly.
People who wish to contribute to the Peterborough Arts Alive Fund and support local arts organizations can click on the above button or send a cheque payable to the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough at:
261 George St. North, Suite 202
Peterborough, ON, K9J 3G9
For further information contact:
Su Ditta
Executive Director, EC3