TORONTO — The Ontario government has come up with $75,000 for the Beaches International Jazz Festival.
“In January, the Beaches Jazz Festival applied to the Ontario Music Fund and earlier this week was awarded a conditional grant of $75,000,” said Michael Chan, minister of tourism, culture and sport, in a statement released Wednesday.
“Ministry staff continue to work with the festival organizers on ways to ensure the event’s continued success.”
Global News was first to report on March 19 that the annual summer festival was denied a Celebrate Ontario grant this year, forcing organizers to scale back the event.
Executive director Lido Chilelli said he was “shocked” and warned of “drastic changes” to the event, which runs July 18 to 27.
“We’re going to have to scale down the festival to what it was about 10 years ago,” he said.
BELOW: Watch Carey Marsden report on funding woes for the Beaches Jazz Festival
The festival received $75,000 in each of the last six years. This year, it was seeking $120,000.
NDP MPP Michael Prue called on Premier Kathleen Wynne to intervene and festival worker Joanna Katchutas started an online petition asking Wynne to restore funding for the event.
A spokesperson for Wynne told Global News on March 20 the premier recognizes it is an important event and is looking at ways to support the festival through other programs.
BELOW: Watch Michael Chan explain the Celebrate Ontario grant process
Chan also promised his ministry would meet with Beaches Jazz Festival organizers to discuss options.
On Wednesday, Chan said: “We value the contribution of the Beaches Jazz Festival and have been a proud partner in their success over the years by providing funding through our various programs.”
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