MEDIA RELEASE
October 12, 2021
Simcoe Contemporary Dancers Puts $27,000
OTF Resilient Communities Fund Grant to Work
BARRIE, ON - The Ontario Trillium
Foundation has granted Simcoe Contemporary Dancers (SCD) a 12-month, $27,000
Resilient Communities Fund grant to help the dance company rebuild and recover
from the impacts of COVID-19. On Sunday, October 3, MPP Doug Downey joined a
virtual meeting with the group to learn more about how the funds have helped
the dance company since they received the grant earlier this year.
“The Ontario Trillium Foundation
exists to help organizations within our communities continue to provide
important services that help to enrich our lives,” said Doug Downey, MPP for
Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte. “This funding will help to ensure that
Simcoe Contemporary Dancers can continue to teach the vital life skills that
come from dance; perseverance, determination, hard-work and team-work. I am
thrilled to see this funding going to such an incredible organization within
the community.”
SCD will use the funds to buy technical
equipment to improve its virtual offerings, hire a consultant to assist in the
creation of an updated strategic plan, and create virtual content to engage the
community. Simcoe Contemporary Dancers has become a leader in its ability to
adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation,
SCD will continue to develop, and enhance, its abilities to reach (and expand)
audiences, provide educational opportunities, develop a stronger online
infrastructure, and develop a clear recovery plan to ensure they are able to
provide access to contemporary dance for years to come. This initiative will
also see the creation of many new opportunities for regional dance artists.
“During a time of continued
uncertainty, support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is critical to
support our mission,” said Chrissy Baxter, Executive Director of Simcoe
Contemporary Dancers. “While we were able to present some classes and
performances since the onset of the pandemic online, these funds will allow us
to improve our online presence in substantial and exciting ways. Virtual dance
classes and performances provide many opportunities, including increased
accessibility, and audiences can expect SCD to continue to provide these
options going forward.”
Simcoe Contemporary Dancers is a
not-for-profit professional company serving the region of Simcoe County that
exists to encourage and showcase the development of local professional
contemporary dance. We come together to raise the visibility of contemporary
dance, create awareness, build educational opportunities, and reach out to our
public to share our love of our art form.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation 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. Please visit: otf.ca
Media Contact:
Chrissy Baxter,
Executive Director
647-618-3240, simcoecontemporarydancers@gmail.com
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