$25,000 OTF Grant Supports Inclusivity at the Fringe

MEDIA RELEASE - June 28, 2023 Ottawa, ON – On Sunday, Executive Director Alain Richer talked about the $25,200 Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to acquire accessibility equipment to create a more equitable space and friendlier user experience. The non-fixed equipment of ticket printers, ticket scanners, and assistive listening/audio description interpretation system (Listen Everywhere) was implemented at the 2023 Fringe Festival in June and will improve access to programming for years to come. “The work of the Ottawa Fringe Festival to support, uplift, and platform local theatre is unmatched. I’m incredibly delighted to see this important celebration of Ottawa’s diverse art and culture scene succeed with the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Joel Harden, MPP for Ottawa Centre. The Ottawa Fringe Festival provides all performing artists, both emerging and established, with the opportunity to produce their work – regardless of content, form, or style – and makes the festival as affordable and accessible as possible to the members of the community. The Ottawa Fringe Festival’s mission is to empower audiences and to encourage artists to take risks, pursue their visions and develop their skills. “The integration of the Listen Everywhere system makes a big leap in creating accessible spaces for our community,” said Alain Richer, Executive Director of the Ottawa Fringe Festival. “Thanks to the support of the Ottawa Trillium Foundation, there is no limit to the number of patrons we can help – a true win for the organization!” For over two decades, the Ottawa Fringe Festival has been a hub of creativity and expression, showcasing works of art that push the boundaries of traditional theatre. Our festival is dedicated to providing a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their talents and connect with audiences. To learn more, please visit our website at: www.ottawafringe.com The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more. For Media Inquiries: Taylor Vardy, Marketing & Communications Officer Ottawa Fringe Festival marketing@ottawafringe.com