TD Ottawa Jazz Festival receives $395,000 in support from Ontario
The TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival is delighted to be the recipient of $395,000 in support from the Ontario government through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture!
The Festival’s dynamic programming continues to draw tourism to the city. Located at Confederation Park, along the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, the Festival is situated in the ideal urban park setting right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Visitors to the Park take in majestic sunsets over the skyline while reveling in the music of significant artists from around the world and across Canada.
The Festival continues to experience tremendous growth which is directly attributable to this vital investment through the Celebrate Ontario program since 2006. These are some of the milestones achieved in 2010:
- attendance in 2010 increased by 11.5% to 292,000
- 13% of the Festival’s audience reside 80km or more from Ottawa
- 10% of tourists were from Europe (an increase from 5.9% in 2009)
- visitors spend an average of 4 days in Ottawa at the Festival
- average expenditure is $614 (as opposed to $518 in 2009 – this figure does not include Festival expenditures)
- Direct economic impact by tourists attending the 2010 Festival more than doubled to $22.8 Million (from 10.6 Million in 2009)
- Box office revenue increased by 12%
“These results exemplify the extraordinary return on investment in culture and the arts on our economy,” explains Executive Producer Catherine O’Grady. “The province’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s belief in our proven track record is an example of innovative leadership and allows us to present the best programming possible.”
On April 13, 2011 at the National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage, 4pm, Festival officials will announce the unprecedented line-up to appear this summer at the 31st edition of the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival!
Celebrate Ontario Funding Announced at Festivals & Events Ontario Conference
The Celebrate Ontario Recipients for 2011 were announced today by the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr. Michael Chan during the opening reception of the Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) annual conference.
Minister Chan revealed the winners to an eager audience of Festival and Event Organizers from across the Province who welcomed the announcement with applause and cheers of support. Celebrate Ontario Funding is a significant economic driver, providing a means to enhance festivals and events; keeping them fresh and growing into the future.
”We are pleased to have Minister Chan with us today to make this significant announcement in our presence. The festival and event industry provides over $1 billion economic impact to the province of Ontario and employs over 20,000 Ontarians. This funding commitment by the Province signals to us that our efforts are a valued part of the economic sustainability in Ontario and recognizes the enhancement festivals and events bring to the quality of life in our communities,” stated Gerry Ginsberg, FEO President after the announcement was made.
A full list of Celebrate Ontario Recipients and descriptions of each event can be found at www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca . For more information on all of the events taking place in the Province of Ontario this year, FEO produces a free Festivals and Events in Ontario Guide that can be obtained at Ontario Travel Information Centres across the province.
Established in 1987, Festivals and Events Ontario has served as the voice of the industry in Ontario. Operating on a not-for-profit basis, the Association delivers collaborative industry education, marketing, research and advocacy services. It has over 500 paid members representing approximately 1,200 individual celebrations and associated industry suppliers operating annually within Ontario.
Province provides more than $2.1-million in funding to Ottawa festivals
OTTAWA—The recipients of 2011 Celebrate Ontario funding have been announced, and this year the provincial government’s commitment to several Ottawa area festivals is over $2.1-million, marking an increase of over half a million dollars from last year’s investment.
The twelve festivals benefiting from this year’s funding are the Canadian Tulip Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Festival franco-ontarien, Music and Beyond, Tim Horton’s Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Ottawa International Children’s Festival, Ottawa International Writers Festival, Rideau Canal Festival, Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival, and the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
“It is very encouraging to see an increased commitment from the province,” says Barb Stacey, Executive Director of Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 50 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in Canada’s Capital Region, “There is no question that these events have tremendous socio-economic impact on the community by providing affordable access to cultural and community-based activities while also attracting more visitors. These events help showcase Ottawa’s identity while also creating significant economic impact that supports increased prosperity, jobs and opportunities for our community.”
Created to help festivals and events improve their programming and services to attract new audiences, increase visitor spending and create jobs; Celebrate Ontario is investing a total of $20-million in 230 events across the province.
2011 Celebrate Ontario Funding Announced
Details about the 2011 Celebrate Ontario program have been annouced.
Overview
This year the program has been enhanced to increase the size and impact of festivals and events across Ontario.
Celebrate Ontario 2011 features three new festival and event categories:
- Celebrate Ontario Main Stage will support community festivals and events with funding up to $40,000 and emerging festivals and events with funding up to $75,000.
- Celebrate Ontario Signature will support major recurring festivals and events with funding up to $400,000.
- Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster will support bidding and event hosting costs for major one-time festivals and events. Funding for bids will be determined based on each application. Funding for event hosting will be available up to a maximum of 20% of the operating budget required to host the event.
The Celebrate Ontario 2011 Main Stage and Signature application deadline is November 23, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.
Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Event Hosting and Blockbuster Bid applications will be accepted twice a year with deadlines on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, and Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Applicants can apply for support on either application deadline. Funds will be awarded in either the fiscal year that the bid is due or when the event will be hosted.
Full application details can be found at: www.ontario.ca/celebrateontario.
Celebrate Ontario 2011 Kicks Off
McGuinty Government Strengthening Support For Local Festivals And Events
Ontario is increasing support for festivals and events that create jobs, attract tourists, stimulate local economies and provide entertaining activities for Ontario families across the province.
This year, the province is investing $20 million through Celebrate Ontario to help festivals and events of all sizes reach new audiences and invigorate local economies. Celebrate Ontario’s new “Blockbuster” category will provide communities with support to bid for and host major one-time events and festivals attracting out-of-province visitors.
New and returning festivals and events across the province are invited to apply to Celebrate Ontario 2011.
Celebrate Ontario supports the government’s Open Ontario Plan to strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for jobs and growth.
Quotes:
“Festivals and events are powerful economic drivers – they draw tourists to our communities, create jobs and stimulate local economies. That is why our government is increasing our investment in festivals and events to help enhance programs, attract new audiences, and create more jobs for Ontarians.”
– Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture
“Festivals and events have a huge economic impact on our communities. With Ontario’s commitment to enhancing the quality of festivals and events in this province, we are in turn helping to fill hotels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, and other local attractions – the ripple effects are many.”
– Gary Masters, Executive Director, Festivals and Events Ontario
Ottawa festivals and events receive more than $1.5-million in funding from Province
Funding will help Canada’s Festival Capital come to life with improved offerings.
OTTAWA – The Province has announced the recipients of 2010 Celebrate Ontario funding grants, and more than $1.5-million is being invested in festivals and events taking place in Ottawa.
Twelve Ottawa Festival members that include Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Tim Horton’s Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Ottawa International Animation Festival, Ottawa International Children’s Festival, Ottawa International Writers Festival, Rideau Canal Festival, Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Summer Festival, TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival, WESTFEST, Festival Franco-Ontarien, and Canadian Tulip Festival received funding this year.
“This is very exciting news,” says Barb Stacey, Executive Director of Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 50 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in the National Capital Region, “this represents a substantial investment in our community, especially considering that these investments are leveraged many times over through private investment, sponsorship and funding available from other levels of government.
“This investment will improve our offering to visitors and further Ottawa’s reputation as being Canada’s Festival Capital. This will help attract new visitors to our internationally renowned premier events, and our supporting events will certainly enhance the city’s many tourism and cultural attractions,” Stacey continues, “These events animate the city. They add colour, life and excitement.”
Awarded by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Celebrate Ontario funding helps communities realize the potential benefits associated with increased tourism and visitor spending. “Festivals and events are important drivers of tourism in Ontario. This support will help enhance their offerings and bring more jobs, visitors and spending to communities throughout our province,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture.
Ottawa Festivals and Events Celebrate Funding Announcement
Ontario Minister of Tourism, Monique Smith, visits “Canada’s Festival Capital” to announce recipients of the province’s increased Celebrate Ontario funding program
OTTAWA – Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism, was in Ottawa Wednesday to announce that fifteen Ottawa festivals, special events and fairs will receive more than $1.4-million as part of Ontario’s $11-million investment throughout the province.
In front of a full house of representatives from the festival, tourism and business community, Smith stated that the Province was investing $11-million for 2009, a $2-million increase over its commitment in 2008, because, “Our government recognizes the economic impact that festivals and events have on local communities throughout the province. By enabling community events to improve their product, we are helping them reach new audiences, create more jobs and generate more economic activity.”
“This announcement from the Government of Ontario is great news for area festivals,” states Julian Armour, President of Ottawa Festivals, “This announcement and the recent announcement from the Federal Government both show a strong recognition of the tremendous economic and community impact generated by festivals.”
“Festivals are important economic engines and we need people to know how important they are to the economy,” Smith said. During his opening remarks, Noel Buckley, President of Ottawa Tourism echoed these sentiments stating that, “Festivals are key demand generators for the Ottawa tourism industry.”
“Celebrate Ontario funding helps us to improve our programming and keep a competitive edge in the tourism marketplace,” says Hitomi Suzuta, President of Ottawa Folk Festival, “It’s not only an investment in our festival, it’s an investment in the many local businesses that rely on the visitors we draw.”
In fact, the numbers can be staggering. The Ottawa Festival Visitor Impact Study found that the total economic activity in Ottawa attributable to just 21 of the region’s more than a hundred events was almost $94-million, supporting over 1,100 full-year jobs and returning more than $5.5-million to the local municipal tax base, $14-million to federal coffers and $12-million to the province.
While referring to the area as “Canada’s Festival Capital,” Smith said that the announcement was being made in Ottawa, “Because it is a place of festivals,” mentioning that no matter the season, “There is always something going on.” She went on to praise the diversity of events that range from cultural and ethnic celebrations to sporting events and major international festivals, “Everyone is covered in Ottawa.”
This diversity is reflected in the list of funding recipients of Celebrate Ontario funding from Ottawa that includes The Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival, TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz festival, Rideau Canal Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Festival franco-ontarien 2009, Ottawa International Writers Festival, Festival des Sucres 2009, Ottawa International Animation Festival, Ottawa International Children’s Festival and Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest.
