St. Catharines City Council approved $150,000 in funding for the not-for-profit cultural sector through the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP.)

“The St. Catharines cultural sector has a vital role to play to help grow our economy and celebrate our identity as a community,” said Mayor Brian McMullan. “With funding confirmed for the future Niagara Centre for the Arts, it is an important time for us to invest in our cultural community.”

The SCCIP utilizes funds from the Civic Project Fund to improve the spirit and quality of life of residents through local arts, heritage and ethnocultural organizations. Now in its sixth year, the program has invested in 45 organizations and community art projects, all of which leverage additional revenue sources to complete their activities.

“We’ve been told by past SCCIP recipients that they’ve seen an increase in provincial, federal and private dollars as a result of SCCIP funding,” said David Vivian, chair of the Culture Committee. “Those new dollars generate more jobs in St. Catharines and Niagara for the creative economy.”

Members of the Culture Committee undertake the application review process for SCCIP. This year’s SCCIP Selection Committee was chaired by Rick Rochon, and included David Vivian, Angela Harris, Peter Vietgen and Councillor Heather Foss in the deliberations.

The goals of the program, as approved by City Council in 2004, include access to cultural opportunities for all St. Catharines’ citizens, promoting civic identity and stimulating economic development and tourism.

“The program balances investment in professional organizations as well as community activities,” states Rick Lane, director of Recreation and Community Services. “Some of this year’s investments will generate new arts programs for youth, a book honouring the lost heroes of St. Catharines from World War II and the Korean War, and the first year of a 10- minute play festival.”

Recipients for funding through this year’s program are:
Carousel Players $21,500.00
Castlemoon Theatre 3,500.00
Chorus Niagara 4,000.00
Cicada Fest 4,000.00
Essential Collective Theatre 8,000.00
The Gallery Players of Niagara 4,000.00
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects 10,000.00
Mayholme Foundation 3,500.00
Niagara Artists Centre 17,500.00
Niagara Dance Company 5,000.00
Niagara Hindu Samaj 4,000.00
Niagara Symphony Association 20,000.00
Primavera Concerts 1,000.00
Shawn Reimer 2,000.00
St. Catharines & Area Arts Council 26,000.00
St. Catharines Chamber Society 2,000.00
Suitcase in Point Arts Performances 8,000.00
Theatre Beyond Words 5,000.00
Work in Progress Theatre 1,000.00