What Does the Arts Council Do?

The Arts Council functions as an organization working with existing arts organizations, individual artists, galleries and community organizations to promote and market Muskoka artists and events, provide professional learning opportunities, and promote Muskoka as a year-round arts and culture destination.

The Arts Council of Muskoka supports artists and arts activity in all its forms through its website, activities, partnerships and bursary fund.

We are committed to establishing a broader public awareness of our arts community and encouraging widespread appreciation of, support for, and involvement in the arts. As a recognized Arts Council, we are able to approach all levels of government, business and industry and service clubs to gain funding, support and recognition for artistic activity in Muskoka.

What can the Arts Council do for me?

There are many benefits to members of the Arts Council. We can assist you in promoting and marketing your products and services by providing member web sub-pages and links to your website, and through a member referral service in response to inquiries from the public. We offer member discounts with Muskoka Tourism and retailers in Muskoka. The Arts Council hosts forums, workshops and community events of interest to artists and the general public. Learn more by clicking the membership tab above...

How can I contribute to the development of the Arts Council?

Join the Arts Council. Tell others about the Arts Council. Provide a link to the Arts Council on your site. Volunteer to serve on committees or the Board or at events. Attend the AGM and vote. Tell us how we can help you. Send us your ideas for events, workshops, etc.

To enquire about any of the above, The Arts Grant for Youth and by entering into partnership with Muskoka Lakes Music Festival and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts to support the Kaleidoscope in the Schools program.

Why have an umbrella organization to represent artists and arts groups when there are so many arts groups in Muskoka?

The Arts Council of Muskoka supports the work of arts professionals through advocacy and special community projects and initiatives. As the Arts Council develops, it will facilitate sharing of experience and expertise, and increase the capacity within the arts community to advocate and bring attention to key issues of interest to this community. As a recognized arts council, we are able to approach all levels of government, business and industry, existing arts organizations and service clubs for their support for the arts in Muskoka. In planning its programming, the Arts Council of Muskoka strives to enhance and promote, rather than duplicate or compete with, the activities of associate member groups already established in Muskoka.

What has ACoM accomplished since its inception in 2002?

Since our inception in 2001 we are proud of our continued efforts and of our success at enriching Muskoka through the Arts. Our accomplishments include:

- Partnering with Muskoka Tourism to offer our members many benefits for web site and tourism guide advertising at a discount rate.

- Developed an Arts Council of Muskoka website.

- Obtaining grants from agencies including Human Resources Development Canada, Muskoka Community Development Corporation, and FedNor which allowed us to hire staff, purchase computer equipment, and re-develop the website to include features that will assist in promoting our members.

- Establishing partnerships and relationships within the Arts community with organizations such as the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Muskoka Lakes Music Festival, and Gravenhurst Opera House.

- Establishing a bursary fund to support young people pursuing studies in the Arts.

- Raising funds through the annual Chair Event Draw in which Muskoka chairs painted by Muskoka artists were raffled.

- Hosting special events, including “Walking in My Mother’s Shoes”, and “Fool’s for Art”, and “Cultivating Partnerships & Dreaming Cultural Spaces” workshop in partnership with Community Arts Ontario and Huronia Foundation for the Arts.

- Conducting workshops for members e.g. a Strategic Planning and Guiding Principles Workshop with Michael Whyte, a Web workshop with Roger Pearce

- Creating an expanded, searchable database of members

What plans does ACoM have for future development?

A major objective is to reinforce Muskoka as a year-round arts and culture destination. Establishing strong connections with local business and industry, school boards, chambers of commerce, tourism boards and other arts councils will broaden our capacity to advertise and promote Muskoka artists and events.

We will continue to develop a database of art facilities to better inform artists of resources available and to what extent it may benefit them.

We will partner with the Muskoka Lakes Music Festival and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts to submit a grant proposal to the Trillium Foundation to offer of the Kaleidoscope in the Schools program (an Artists-in-the-Schools program for children) in 2007-2008.

Who is eligible to become a member of the Arts Council?

Membership in the Arts Council is open to artists, art organizations, community organizations and businesses or schools related to the arts. Learn more in the Membership section…