The City of Windsor is handing out the first round of Arts, Culture and Heritage funding to 19 recipients.
The city received 56 applications this year, six from organizations and the rest from individuals. The funding requests totalled $250,000, and the jury had to make some difficult decisions.
In the first round of funding, $59,000 will go to 19 projects, ten of which were submissions from first-time applicants.
The projects, which will receive up to $5,000, run the gamut from visual art installations, performing arts, film, music, and literary arts, and some that support diversity, inclusivity, and the celebration of humanity in the city.
Some of this year's winners are Kristen Siapas, who will use the funding to launch Jazz in the Park, an outdoor concert series, and Jamie Greer, for a history project focused on the history of pro wrestling in Windsor. Kevin Blondin will receive $3,300 for an online archive of drag artists in the city, and Paul Montainier and the Brewing for Comedy Festival will get $3,000.
Each year, the city awards grants in two rounds, a total of $118,000. That's a 35 per cent increase from past years.
City council approved a recommendation to increase funding by $30,800 this year.
"This program has a significant impact on the creative community while helping to celebrate and share the best of Windsor's arts, culture, and heritage sectors with the broader community," said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The city also hopes to partner with those businesses, individuals, and organizations that wish to sponsor ACHF projects. It identified two possible opportunities.
Since the program launched in 2014, the city has considered 806 applications and funded 412 projects.
