OTF Grant helps Headwaters Arts with a tented roof to hold events at Alton Mill Arts Centre
ALTON, ON – In 2020, Headwaters Arts received a $138,900 Resilient Communities grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, (OTF) to install a three-season roof structure over the 3,800 square foot outdoor heritage stonewall/foundation called the Annex Courtyard, part of the unique Alton Mill heritage complex in Caledon. The construction of the tented roof was completed in June and will provide endless opportunities for the community, artists, and visitors to safely gather outdoors, to experience, engage and enjoy a multitude of new and exciting outdoor arts and culture programs, art shows, workshops, concerts, and ticketed performances/events planned.
“Your plan for the installation of a three-season roof over the Annex for exhibitions, events and performances will be a welcomed addition to both artists and visitors in our community. In the face of the pandemic, we have all had to adjust and change how we stay connected to each other and this funding will go a long way to reconnecting us all safely,” said MPP Sylvia Jones.
In addition to the materials and construction of the roof, the grant funding included: purchase of light-weight stage for outdoor performances; expansion of online opportunities for audience engagement via additional technology and equipment and purchase of PPE. Headwaters Arts, volunteers, member artists and the Alton Mill Arts Centre, are extremely grateful to OTF for the Resilient Communities funding because, as with many arts organizations, the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns have been very significant. Headwaters Arts now looks forward to new opportunities as it rebuilds and recovers. Alton Mill Arts Centre is the home of the organization, a unique heritage complex and destination in the Town of Caledon that is visited by thousands throughout the year and enjoyed by a multitude of local community groups, regional arts and culture orgs/artists for meeting, fundraisers, and celebrations. And thanks to the OTF grant, this is just the beginning of a new era of growth, opportunity and reciprocity for Headwaters Arts, Alton Mill Arts Centre,
and the entire region. Increasing membership, generating revenue, and building relationships for mutual benefit is the future! As the province is reopening, Headwater Arts is now taking bookings to organize arts events, workshops, and other performances under the tent. Contact margi@altonmill.ca for further details and pricing.
“Headwaters Arts is about enriching people’s lives through arts and culture, and all of us have missed being together for such experiences. With this grant, together, under our newly tented roof, Headwaters Arts, our member artists and the Mill will recover and rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 over the next 12 months.” said Margi Taylor, Acting President, Headwaters Arts.
Headwaters Arts (HA) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that brings together artists and supporters to promote the development, appreciation, and enjoyment of all the arts in the Headwaters Region (Caledon, Dufferin County and Erin). Visit https://www.headwatersarts.org or follow the progress on the Headwaters Arts Facebook page www.facebook.com/ HeadwatersArtsorg and Instagram @headwatersarts.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.