Simcoe Contemporary Dancers

Penumbra choreographed by Susan Kendal. Performed by Jaqui Brown, Ulana Romanish, Shelby Thoms, Chrissy Baxter, and Carly Manuel

 

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