Pictured, from left: Kristen Leboeuf (Managing Director, County Stage Company), Heather Braaten (Artistic Director, County Stage Company), Tyler Allsopp (MPP – Bay of Quinte), Janna Smith (Executive Director, County Arts), Thomas Vaughan (Executive Director, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund), Steve Ferguson (Mayor, Prince Edward County) Photo: Submitted
The Ontario government is protecting and promoting the growth and sustainability of cultural tourism in Prince Edward County.
Tyler Alsopp, the MPP for Bay of Quinte, announced Tuesday that County Arts and the County Stage Company will receive funding to develop, promote, and present their respective events through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF).
The funding is as follows:
County Arts will receive $40,000 for County Arts’ 40th Anniversary Season taking place April 1 to Nov. 11, 2026
The County Stage Company will receive $25,000 for County Stage 2026: Expanded Repertory Festival and Fall Solo Series, taking place June 10 to Nov. 11, 2026.
“The arts are an economic driver across Ontario, offering direct employment and attracting people to visit businesses in communities like Prince Edward County,” stated Allsopp.
“Through the OCAF, our government continues to provide new investment to ensure organizations like County Arts and the County Stage Company can present high-quality programming highlighting a special cultural experience unique to our community.”
This announcement is part of the government’s overall investment of $6 million into OCAF projects
across Ontario over three years.
“Arts and culture organizations across Ontario enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike by providing one-of-a-kind events that proudly showcase the base that our province has to offer,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
“This investment will help bring these products to life, while boosting local businesses, creating jobs, and enabling audiences of all ages to experience unique, madein-Ontario programming that will create lifelong memories.”
Janna Smith, the Executive Director of County Arts, said the impact will be far reaching.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support provided by the Government of Ontario. This funding will take us to new heights in our 40th anniversary season, helping to strengthen our commitment to advancing contemporary artistic practice in Prince Edward County – which is home to the highest
concentration of professional artists per capita in Ontario,” said Smith.
Kristen Leboeuf, Managing Director of the County Stage Company, also welcomed the funding.
“This vital marketing investment will allow us to welcome more people to our 2026 Summer Theatre Season, helping us grow attendance and earned revenue so we can support artists and keep our doors open.
Predictable marketing dollars also make us a stronger, more reliable partner for private sponsors who fuel cultural tourism, bringing longer stays and higher spending that majorly benefits our wonderful community,” Leboeuf stated.
Every year, OCAF supports cultural tourism events and attractions across Ontario that offer distinct and diverse programming for residents and visitors.
OCAF funds are provided as partially repayable loans, enabling the government to support a broader range of new attractions and special events. For every $1 that the Ontario government invests, $1.67 is in turn invested into the cultural tourism sector
