Huronia Foundation for the Arts
Ken Albrough is a retired business professional and currently works with the C of C and as Financial Director of the HFA, of which he is a founding member. Linda Hillman is the office manager of the Foundation and Larry French, also retired from business and a musician is the President.
Ken started by saying that the Foundation actually covers northern Huronia and southern Muskoka. In 2006 Lucille Robitaille spearheaded efforts to form an Arts Council and held monthly meetings a peoples' houses but they were struggling till Gord McKay helped them lead a planning exercise that resulted in a newsletter, a web site and a commitment to sponsor a keynote event. They incorporated in 2008 and successfully applied for $60,000.00 from Trillium over 3 years that paid for an office manager and etc. They have applied again and are hopeful that a $73,000.00 grant will be announced soon to expand the Winterfest and Artwalk events and to retain Linda's services.
Larry said the Foundation is run mostly by a committed core of workers. The Board is made up of artists and is a hub dedicated by and for artists from Elmvale over to Price's Corner and up to MacTier. The organization showcases events through partnerships with the MCC and the NSSRC with site links to arts and culture in the area so it brings the arts to consumers.
They publish the Directory which is a definitive listing of artists and events. They sponsor the Artwalk, which this year will be on Aug. 17 and whilch will include a classic car parade, several stages with live music and readings and many displays and food outlets. It's on the Sat. of the Tug Fest weekend so they anticipate as many as 5,000 people will be in the downtown so they are partnering with the BIA and are advertising down to Toronto.
They are working on a gala which will be 'unlike any you have seen' and will be at the MCC in November - announcements will be made soon. Winterfest will be growing again this year and they are looking to draw on the experience of Barrie for a local Arts Excellence program. They are working on the Committee that's developing the Cultural Map of Midland and are hoping that will help define Midland and area as an arts destination. They take part in Festivals all over the area - most recently the Festival du Loup and the Buttertart event. Every Wed. this summer there is an art display at the dock during the afternoon and a music event in the evening.
They are at 300 members now and are continuing to grow - $20.00 for seniors and $30.00 for the rest. They sell advertising in the directory which is distributed through the newspaper and is in every hotel.