Foundation gives $80,000 grant for the Quinte Arts Council

By: Miller Reynolds
The Quinte Arts Council will be able to breathe easier after receiving a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The $80,000 grant will be used over the next two years to hire a volunteer co-ordinator and set up Volunteer Impact Software which will help manage and recruit volunteers.

The QAC’s membership was founded in 1967 and is made up of 80 member groups, and more than 500 individuals, businesses and families. Over the last few years the QAC has had to cut back on staff due to the economic struggles, so they have been relying more on volunteers to help with administration and operations.

Carol Feeney, executive director of the QAC said the grant will not only help now, it will be beneficial for the organization in the long run.

“It means that we have an extra person on staff that is dedicated to helping build our human resources. It’s very important, not just for now but to build into the future,” she said.

The QAC provides a year-round program to showcase the work of their members free of charge. Artists have their work shown in gallery spaces as well as 12 different non-traditional venues such as restaurants, financial institutions and medical centers.

“It’s really important because people that don’t normally go to galleries see the work and we’re actually selling it in those venues on behalf of the artists,” said Feeney.

James Chappelle, owner of Deer Creek Pottery, and member of the QAC, said the council is beneficial for artists in the area who are looking for exposure.

“It’s important to the community in the sense that it gives venues to the various artistic groups, such as ballet, the painters, and any of the artisans around. It organizes these venues for them so the people get to know us, otherwise we’re on our own,” he said.

“It would be a sad day if we lost the QAC, or if it became irrelevant,” he said.