Lambton's Creative County Committee Awards 2022 Funding

Wyoming, ON - Lambton's Creative County Grant Program has approved 21 projects for the 2022 program year, representing an investment of $101,965 in funding. Eight of the approved projects are Indigenous-led or in partnership with neighbouring Indigenous communities.

The Creative County Committee adjusted its application criteria for the 2022 grant period to consider applications for minor capital purchases, due to ongoing public health restrictions preventing many cultural events and programs from taking place. The Committee also encouraged projects led by or in partnership with Indigenous communities that foster Indigenous heritage and culture, or support local organizations with the implementation of the Calls to Action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report.

At a recent meeting, the Creative County Committee approved the following grant applications:

• $1,000 to Kevin Vansteenkiste towards the Whereabouts educational video series.
• $4,000 to the Lambton Fairs Association for their Barn Quilt Project.
• $2,800 to the Lambton County Plowmen’s Association for their Telling Our History project.
• $2,500 to Hillside School and KSPFN Education Services in support of two murals to be installed in their community centre.
• $5,000 to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation towards the creation of the Golden Eagles Seniors Healing Garden and Teaching Circle.
• $12,125 in support of the Anishinaabe Thunderbird Sundance.
• $8,845 to the Aamjiwnaang Early Learning Centre for their Anishinaabe Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative.
• $5,000 to Monica Virtue towards the Ipperwash Archive project.

• $2,500 to Anika Altiman in support of Reflections: Art in Bkejwanong Territory program and exhibition.
• $1,050 to Sam Shuqair towards the production of Quick and Easy Cookbook: A Recipe and a Poem.
• $5,000 to the Sarnia Kinsmen Club for their Spring into Summer Arts & Craft Show.
• $5,000 to the City of Sarnia and its UNDRIP Committee towards the installation of a commemorative reconciliation crosswalk.
• $2,995 to Taryn Henry, Anne Stoesser and the Lawrence House for the interactive art experience A Day at a Time.
• $6,500 to the Town of Plympton-Wyoming for the development and installation of a historic plaque honouring the site of the former Maundaumin Library.
• $1,400 to the Kiwanis Club of Forest in support of the Learning and Healing Together event.
• $750 to the Bluewater Lambton Ukulele Ensemble towards sound equipment to support ukulele group performances.
• $5,000 to the Grand Bend Art Centre for the interactive mural event May We Come Together.
• $2,500 to the Lambton Young Theatre Players, in support of the LYTP Collective Creation program.
• $15,000 to Sherri DeWolf towards the Mermaids & Mariners on the St. Clair event.
• $10,000 to the Corunna Volunteer Firefighters Association for the 1925 LaFrance Fire Truck Restoration Project.
• $3,000 to Liana Russwurm towards the Alvinston, Stories from the Church weekly publication.

It is estimated that this funding will leverage a total of $515,820 in local cultural investment by applicant organizations and their respective partners in 2022, based on the total estimated project costs submitted by applicants.

The Creative County Grant Program was launched in 2013 to support innovative projects that build cultural capacity, strengthen the creative community, define the County's unique identity and enrich the quality of life of all residents. The program provides up to 50% of total project costs for new arts, culture and heritage initiatives across the County.

The next application intake is scheduled for the fall of 2022, and will support initiatives taking place during the year 2023. For more information about Lambton's Creative County Grant Program, visit lambtononline.ca/creativecounty.

-30-

Please contact:

Brian White
Lambton County Councillor / Creative County Committee Chair
519-464-2585
Email Brian White

Andrew Meyer
General Manager, Cultural Services Division
County of Lambton
519-845-0809 ext. 5236
Email Andrew Meyer