Council Reinstates Arts Funding for 2016-18 Budget Cycle

As part of preparation for the 2017 Budget, St. John’s City Council has committed to reinstating the full budget allotment for grants to artists and arts organizations - $203,000 per year, for the next two planning years.

In the 2016-18 Budget plan, grants were reduced by half. In 2016, this decision was reversed and funding was reinstated. Budget 2017-18 will see this funding maintained.

“During the program review process, we took a close look at our community grants program,” said Councillor Jonathan Galgay, Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance and Administration. “With our active, new Arts and Culture Advisory Committee providing excellent guidance on the City’s role in supporting arts development, Council recognizes the value of these grants and wants to reassure the arts community that funding will be available at previous levels.”

The deadline for applications to receive grants from the City for arts, sports and other community initiatives is November 30. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications soon.

The City of St. John’s continues its commitment to supporting the arts. Aside from the annual grants program, the City funds and promotes arts development through a number of ongoing initiatives, including:

• The annual Music @ Concert Series, featuring regular concerts at Harbourside Park and expanding to Quidi Vidi Village Plantation, and Bannerman Park, which hires local talent and supports the development of new talent by featuring youth performer opening acts, coordinated through a partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society.
• Ongoing art exhibitions in City Hall and other city facilities.
• Public Art installations to beautify the City, including murals such as the newly completed mural on George Street. 

Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca