Advocating for Arts & Culture

In our recent community survey, you told us that advocacy and raising awareness about the value of arts and culture in community life is the most important role the Quinte Arts Council plays in supporting our region’s artists and organizations. I want you to know: I heard you—and I’m acting on it.

Here are just a few of the ways we’ve been advocating on your behalf this year:

👉Provincial Pre-Budget Submission – January
I submitted formal recommendations to the Province of Ontario calling for:
• A $40 million increase in Core Operating Funding for arts organizations
• Expanded access to arts funding for small and mid-sized organizations
• Increased investment in arts education and youth engagement
• Enhanced support for arts and mental health initiatives

👉Provincial Advocacy Through AACO – August
As Chair of the Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario, I served as a panelist at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, speaking directly to municipal leaders about the powerful impact of arts and culture in local economic development.

👉Bringing All Levels of Government Together for the Arts – September
At our Arts Recognition Awards, the QAC proudly brought together all levels of government — our MP, MPP, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, the Ontario Arts Council, and our Mayor and council—in one room to celebrate our local arts and culture community. This kind of visibility puts our region on the map, strengthens relationships, and positions us as a true arts and cultural destination.

👉Municipal Economic & Cultural Development – monthly
As a community partner with the City of Belleville’s Economic and Destination Development Committee, I continue to ensure the arts are recognized as a core driver of growth, tourism, and community well-being.

👉Direct Consultation with Provincial Leadership – December
Most recently, I was invited by Dave Smith, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance, to participate in discussions ahead of the 2026 Ontario Budget, where I formally advocated for:
• Increased base and project funding to the Ontario Arts Council
• Investment in youth arts engagement, arts education & mental well-being
• Funding for accessible, inclusive, and future-ready cultural infrastructure

The Arts Across Ontario report confirms that arts and culture are a powerful driver of economic and community vitality across Eastern Ontario—impact that is clearly reflected in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. In our region, arts and culture fuel cultural tourism, support local jobs, and strengthen downtowns and rural communities alike, while generating public revenues that exceed public investment. For communities served by the Quinte Arts Council, the data reinforces what we see every day: arts organizations, artists, and creative programs are essential infrastructure—contributing not only to economic resilience, but also to community connection, wellbeing, and a strong sense of place.

This work matters. It’s about protecting creative jobs, strengthening our local economy, supporting mental health, empowering young people, and ensuring everyone has access to the arts.

We will continue to advocate—for you, for our artists, and for the future of arts and culture in our entire region. 

— Janet Jarrell
Executive Director, Quinte Arts Council