MPP Collard joins HHG to celebrate OTF funding
MEDIA RELEASE
June 24th 2024
$32,000 Ontario Government Grant Supports
Theatre Creation in Ottawa
Ottawa, ON – On Monday, June 24, local MPP Lucille Collard met with artists from 5 projects supported by Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (HHG) to hear more about how the $32,000 Resilient Communities Grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to help HHG seek stable funding and support Ottawa’s theatre artists in creating new work. The project has allowed HHG to engage in long-term artistic planning, while continuing to develop projects with local artists and to apply for longer-term stability in funding.
“Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Theatre plays an important role in addressing contemporary social and political issues through the power of storytelling. Supporting art is essential to community vitality and that’s why I am grateful for the Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation that will help the Theatre enhance its mission and secure longer-term financial stability,” said Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa–Vanier.
This Resilient Communities Grant provided bridge funding for HHG to adapt to new, post-pandemic funding realities in the arts, while continuing to develop artistic projects. Approximately two thirds of the OTF funding went directly to artists, supporting 5 different projects at different stages of development which HHG hopes to see staged professionally, in Ottawa or elsewhere, in the near future.
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Theatre is drawn to where the political and the personal intersect – the politics of everyday life. We explore stories of idealism, corruption, compassion, love, violence and redemption, both within the individual and their communities. We tell under-told stories, and we create theatre that reveals a vulnerability of heart and doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations. We do this through a collaborative process that supports boldly imaginative concepts, new forms of theatre and an inclusive definition of theatre artist. This grant from OTF has allowed us to continue on this mission and to support emerging and established artists further their telling of important stories.
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Horseshoes & Hand Grenades deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Kyle Ahluwalia, Artistic Producer
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
613-619-9830
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