City continues support of arts and culture sector with new round of SCCIP funding

The City of St. Catharines continues to make investments to help strengthen and build the arts community.

At its Nov. 28 meeting, St. Catharines City Council approved the final rounds of the 2022 St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP) funding, allocating $97,584 to nine applicants through the Arts Development Program, Culture Builds Community Program and Sustaining - Festival Program. The approvals bring the total SCCIP funding allocated in 2022 to $400,000.

“SCCIP is an investment in the cultural vitality of the community, supporting the City’s creative cluster and the promotion of cultural activities, but also assisting the sector with sustainable support and funding,” said Carly Anderson, the City’s Culture Supervisor. “It also serves a bridge, connecting our arts community with the community at large, whether it be events that allow residents to enjoy professional arts experiences, or applicants partnering with social service agencies to develop specialized programming that serves diverse communities.”

Successful applicants for rounds three and four of funding include:

• Arts Development Program: Aeris Körper Contemporary Dance, $3,000; Avanti Chamber Singers, $3,500; Port Dalhousie Beautification and Works Committee, $4,000; and Silver Spire United Church, $5,884.
• Culture Builds Community Program: Start Me Up Niagara, $9,000; and Willow Arts Community, $8,500.
• Sustaining – Festival Program: Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts, $19,700; The Norm Foster Theatre Festival, $27,500; and TD Niagara Jazz Festival, $16,500.

Details on the 2023 SCCIP funding programs, which includes six different program streams, will be announced in the new year. Information on the programs, eligibility, applications, and more can be found at www.stcatharines.ca/SCCIP.