Ontario Boosting Arts and Culture in Northumberland County

September 18, 2025

New $17,946 Investment Will Support Jobs and Maximize the Impact of the Local Arts and Culture Sector

September 18th, 2025

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY– The Ontario government is investing $17,946 in Northumberland County to support good jobs, boost student success and help community arts and culture organizations thrive.

Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG) will receive $17,946 through the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. The announcement was made by David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South.

“Our government understands the important role that the arts play in fostering dynamic and thriving communities across Ontario,” said David Piccini. “This funding will help Northumberland County’s artists and arts organizations continue to make a positive impact on our economy, create good jobs and draw more visitors to our community.”

The Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program grant is designed to maximize the positive impact of Ontario’s cultural sector in local communities throughout the province. The program supports the research, development and realization of community-engaged arts projects. Activities involve professional Ontario artists and community members working together to develop and design a creative experience. In Northumberland County, this funding will enable Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG) to five overlooked rural Northumberland schools, engaging students in singing, drumming, and sound engineering and learning Canadian culture from local teaching artists.

“Ontario’s arts and culture organizations enrich our lives and communities, and boost economic activity,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Our government is thrilled to provide Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG) with funding to continue its innovative work in Northumberland County and complement the creative endeavours of other arts organizations across the province.”

“This multi-year investment from the Ontario Arts Council is a vote of confidence for rural kids in Northumberland. Thanks to this funding, students in smaller communities will get hands-on experience with local professional Teaching Artists, learn new ways to express themselves, and stay connected through our very own home-grown culture. SONG’s In School programs help educators build the skills and confidence to keep the music going long after we’ve packed up. It’s rural grassroots community-building in action, and we’re so proud to be delivering it.”- Miles Bowman, Executive Director, SONG

Quick Facts

  • Ontario is investing in 15 arts organizations and six individual artists through the Artists in Communities and Schools Projects program.
  • The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. It provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations, supporting a range of arts activities and disciplines.
  • In 2024-25, OAC invested $52.2 million in 204 communities across 123 Ontario ridings, providing 1,969 grants to individual artists and 1,030 grants to organizations.