$5,000 a year in assistance, with the money being divided up into two separate calls for projects, with the first one launching on April 14 and the second one taking place in the fall.

An MRC Pontiac press release explained that the fund will address “the gap and challenges in the MRC’s ecosystem by providing grants to our local artists and cultural centres, investing in their ability to focus on their art.”

The areas of focus for the grants are on projects of music, visual arts and galleries/artist centres. Meanwhile, projects submitted for funding assistance should fall within the streams of: collaborative projects, concert/exhibition streams and creation streams.

The spring call for projects was allotted more funds than the fall’s, as a fourth stream was created as an exception called the COVID-19 centres and gallery relief stream. On top of the three grants worth $750 each already up for grabs, another two worth $250 each will be given to centres and galleries who show a need for financial help because of the impact of the pandemic, adding up to a total of $2,750.

The fall call for projects will simply contain the other three grants worth $750, with a total of $2,250.

Pontiac Warden Jane Toller was quoted in the press release as being pleased to see the launch of an art-centric fund.

“We have a growing and vibrant arts community in the Pontiac, and the MRC wants to support and help development artistic initiatives across our region, be they musical, visual, theatrical, etc.,” said Toller. “This fund will allow many artists to apply for funding each year to help them in the further development of their particular craft.”

According to MRC communications officer Colleen Jones, this fund is the first of its kind for the MRC.

Information surrounding the spring call for projects will be available on the MRC’s website, and those seeking more details can contact MRC economic development officer Sabrina Ayres at s.ayres@mrcpontiac.qc.ca.

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