Dundas Valley School of Art receives $42,300 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant

A $42,300 Ontario Trillium Foundation resilient communities grant to Dundas Valley School of Art will fund research to identify new business opportunities, and technology to make fundraising a little easier, continuing a history of financial support from the provincial foundation.

It’s the fourth Trillium grant to the non-profit art school within three years, aimed at improving technological infrastructure and digital programming, bringing total Trillium funding to $353,100 since 2020.

A research project funded by the most recent grant will “identify target audiences and strategic initiatives that can guide the formulation of a comprehensive business plan to ensure the school’s sustainability.”

The grant is also funding new tap donation point technology to support the school’s ongoing fundraising efforts. This allows DVSA to accept contactless donations electronically in any location the tap donation board is located.

DVSA executive director Claire Loughheed said the school’s five-year strategic plan identifies three priorities including equity, financial sustainability and planned growth.

“This includes a strategy to increase access and we know the vast majority of our new students find us online before considering joining us in person,” Loughheed said. “Knowing who is already here and what they are looking for is helpful. Understanding who else is out there who wants to study visual art and understanding how to reach them is invaluable.”

The Trillium Foundation also recently announced grants to two other Dundas organizations.

Dundas Granite Curling Club, at 24 Head St., received $75,000 for replacement of its ice chiller.

Dundas Lawn Bowling Club, located in the Dundas Driving Park, received $15,600 to improve its website and marketing strategy, and purchase equipment.

In February 2020, an Ontario Trillium grant of $31,100 purchased Mac desktop computers to upgrade DVSA’s digital photography lab.

In February 2021, with the pandemic restricting in-person teaching, an Ontario Trillium grant of $30,700 assisted DVSA with the purchase of iPads and computer equipment for students without access to technology in order to participate in online art programs.

In February 2022, Trillium announced a $249,000 grant to help the school upgrade technology and develop a digital platform for online art experiences.

With the ongoing Trillium support, DVSA plans to continue building its online capacity with market-driven digital programming. In addition to expanding art instruction over video conferencing, DVSA plans to add online artist lectures and panel talks, master classes with renowned national and international artists, recorded video instruction and an art education based podcast series.

Annual art events, the Art Auction and Little Black Frame Mystery Art Event, have already developed an online presence and the school is looking to further enhance their virtual components.

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