Art
Art gallery in for boost to city funding
THUNDER BAY – The city is planning to support the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s move to a new location with a nearly $100,000 increase to the institution’s annual operating funding.
That would bring the city’s yearly operating grant to the art gallery to $405,300 in 2024, and comes on top of a nearly $40,000 increase the gallery received this year.
City council tentatively approved funding for 18 local non-profit organizations in 2024 through the city’s Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program on Monday.
The fund, created in 2007, exists to support important cultural and community groups, with large sustaining grants for a handful of institutions considered integral to the city’s identity.
The program has a total recommended budget of $3.1 million in 2024, up by about $200,000 from this year.
The largest recipients of the CYC fund in 2024 are:
- Thunder Bay Community Auditorium ($836,900)
- Thunder Bay Museum ($482,100)
- Thunder Bay Art Gallery ($405,300)
- Shelter House ($330,800)
- Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra ($244,700)
- Regional Food Distribution Association ($200,000)
- Magnus Theatre ($144,400)
- Thunder Bay Boys & Girls Club ($123,400)
Coun. Mark Bentz questioned why the lion’s share of the funding goes toward cultural institutions, not youth and anti-poverty programs.
“When I look at it, I see 80 per cent of the funding going to cultural… and my way of thinking is that’s a little skewed,” he said. “We’re funding two museums, two art galleries, an auditorium, an orchestra that plays exclusively at the auditorium, and a professional theater company for close to $2.3 million; Whereas we’re only putting $600,000 or so into the youth programs.”
Coordinator Callie Hemsworth responded that has more to do with the typical funding model for cultural institutions than anything else.
“Community safety and wellbeing organizations are typically funded at a much higher level by the province and to some degree, the federal government, whereas culture across Canada… is typically funded at a much higher percentage by the municipality,” she said.
“In other cities, some of these cultural organizations are actually part of a city department, some of the museums [for example].”
Applications to the program are reviewed by teams made up of city staff and citizen representatives, and can be appealed to a committee made up of city councillors.
The gallery was one of two organizations recommended for a large bump in 2024, along with the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA).
The gallery increase was recommended to support the institution’s move to a new $57-million-plus waterfront building that will offer around three times the display space of its current site at Confederation College.
Gallery leaders had previously signaled they’d seek increases to the operating grant. It’s not clear if the gallery plans to seek further increases in 2025, when it’s set to move into the new building.
An increase of $94,500 recommended for the RFDA, meanwhile, recognizes “significant increased operating expenses, demand for services, and decrease in donations,” staff reported.
That would bring annual city funding of the RFDA to a total of $200,000, still well short of the organization’s request for $350,000 for next year.
Funding for the Shelter House is set to rise only slightly to $330,800, falling short of its request for $500,000.
The CYC program also includes $47,600 for smaller project grants to be allocated in 2024, with the first intake in March 2024.
More information about the fund and how to apply is available at the city’s website.
While Monday’s vote indicated approval for the recommended funding awards, the decision to award those dollars won’t be final until council approves the 2024 city budget in February.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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