The provincial government has pledged $230,000 toward six festivals and events in the Greater Sudbury area.
Local grants include:
- Northern Arts Festival (February 2025): $55,000
- Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival (November 2024): $11,900
- We Live Up Here 10 Festival (August 2024): $55,000
- Jazz Sudbury Festival (September 2024): $20,000
- YES Summer Festival (June 2024): $30,000
- Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival (September 2024): $58,300
“The Experience Ontario 2024 investment will attract visitors to Sudbury and increase our local economy,” Nipissing Progressive Conservative MPP Vic Fedeli said in a media release.
“Our government is encouraging Ontarians to explore all that these local communities have to offer by extending stays in accommodation, eating in restaurants and supporting small businesses.”
Within the media release, various beneficiaries express their gratitude for the funds.
“We are thrilled to be recipients of the Experience Ontario grant this year, to continue growing our impact as a major arts tourism attraction in Northern Ontario,” YES Theatre general manager Scott Denniston said. “Funding will go toward increasing the production value of our festival, and tourism marketing efforts to draw visitors from across the province.”
We Live Up Here general manager Jaymie Lathem said the funds would allow them to have more established artists, “sending the message that innovation, tourism and urbanity can thrive in Northern Ontario.”
Last year’s festival was initially scaled down when no provincial funding came in, but the gap was later filled by donors.
