Grant Application Spring

« Back to all entries

Organization:
Arts Orillia

Charitable Registration Number:
81819 8764 RR 0001

Name of Fund being applied to:
Smart and Caring Communities Fund

Address:
23 Mississauga St W
Orillia, Ontario L3V3A5

Contact Name:
Kate Hilliard

Title:
Artistic Director

Email:
katehilliard@artsorillia.ca

Phone Number:
416 455-3657

Website:
https://artsorillia.ca

Amount Requested:
$3,195

About the organization:

At Arts Orillia, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. Our mission is to create dynamic arts experiences that bring people together, with a special focus on youth engagement and supporting diverse artistic voices. From music and dance to theatre and visual arts, we provide opportunities for
creative expression that inspire individuals, foster connections, and enrich our community. At Arts Orillia, we are dedicated to supporting artists, empowering the next generation, and building strong community partnerships.

Proposed Project Start Date:
May 20, 2026

Proposed Project End Date:
May 24, 2026

Please briefly describe the project and how the funds will be used:

Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories aims to:
– amplify the centuries-old tradition of storytelling at the Chippewas of Rama First Nation by staging established First Nations artists
to share their original work.
– model and educate students in the community by presenting artists in elementary and secondary schools.
– affirms the value of First Nations traditions and culture in service to Truth and Reconciliation.

Funding support from CFOA will go directly to fees for Indigenous artists and contribute to youth learning and student materials for our two days of community education. A complete list of festival events can be seen here: https://www.artsorillia.ca/gathering-2026

How many people will benefit from the project directly and indirectly within the geographic area covered by the CFOA:

Our festival celebrates local artists and emerging, critically acclaimed presenters, upholding our mission to engage youth through artistic excellence and cultural diversity. Over the last five years, festival resources have been shared with more than 3,000 students.

Please list any partnerships and collaborations for this project:

Funding Partners:
– TD Bank
– Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF)
– Mariposa Folk Foundation supports Arts Orillia’s music program for the festival.
– Arts Orillia partners with SCDSB, working closely with teachers and the Indigenous department. We also partner with the teachers at Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School.
**Arts Orillia can provide 2026 funding acknowledgment letters at CFOA request, but please see our website, which displays an acknowledgment to all public funders.

Please describe any in kind contributions/volunteer labour connected to this project:

Rama First Nation offers venue and custodial services. We have a Creative Operational Partnership Agreement with the City of Orillia for park permits related to youth engagement.

How will success be evaluated?

The educational impact of Gathering is measured in student engagement. We use the experiential learning model, which asks students to learn through active participation and then reflect on what they have come to understand from the experience. We additionally report on audience participation. One of the
most important ways of measuring impact is to gather an account of the event. In recent years, we have done this through video documentation alongside Keesic Douglas, who films people’s reactions to the Gathering Festival. The most notable impact related to Truth and Reconciliation is the long list of Indigenous partners who work with Arts Orillia, contributing to the festival’s growth.

Grant Request Budget

Item:
Artist Fees/Contracts, Accommodation, Travel Expenses, Marketing Support, Hospitality, Tech, Education Craft Materials, Inkind Donations – offset

Description ( if applicable):
Professional fees for 7 artists, Rooms offered atsubsidized rate with Sunray Group, 2 flights, and travel to and from Pearson International, Printing, ads, etc., For 7 artists over 3 days, Lighting, Sound, Equipment Rentals, 600 elementary and high school students, Rama First Nation/Arts Orillia Internal Resourses/City of Orillia

$ Amount:
$18,000, $ 720, $2,300, $1000, $2,500, 800, $1000, $ 10,500

Total Expenses:
$ 36820

Project Funding

Item:
TD Corporate Grants, Canada Arts Presenting Fund (CAPF), City of Orillia, Inkind Donations

Description ( if applicable):
Multi year grant approved May 2025, Approved Oct 2025, Approved Jan 2026, Rama First Nation/Arts Orillia Internal Resourses/City of Orillia

$ Amount:
12,000, $ 9,000, $ 2,125, $ 10,500

Amount Requested from CFOA:
$3,195

Total Income:
$33,625

Budget Summary

Total Project Expenses:
$ 36820

Total Project Income:
$ 36820

Attachments

File Upload:
https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQ1MnxmaWxlbmFtZTpBTy1GWU1pbmkyMDI1RlMtU2lnbmVkLTEtMS5wZGY=, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQ1M3xmaWxlbmFtZTpBTy1Cb2FyZC1FeGVjdXRpdmUtMS0xLTEucGRm, https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQ1NHxmaWxlbmFtZTpTdXBwb3J0LU1hdGVyaWFsXy1HYXRoZXJpbmdfLUZlc3RpdmFsLW9mLUZpcnN0LU5hdGlvbi1TdG9yaWVzLnBkZg==

Name:
Kate Hilliard

Title:
Artistic Director

Signature:

Date:
04/16/2026