Local Initiatives Program Funding and the Next Phase of Research

The Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation is pleased to announce that it has been successful in its LIP (Local Initiatives Program) funding application with the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC).  Thanks to this funding, the HHACF will be moving ahead with the next phase of its research project.  It has engaged Melissa Johnston to produce a final synthesized report out of the Needs Assessment Reports (NARs) developed by students of Sir Sanford Fleming College (Lindsay campus) in partnership with ULinks Centre for Community Based Research out of Minden.

Melissa Johnston, a highly-recommended independent research consultant with experience in projects based in Haliburton County, will review and validate the information presented in the NARs.  Where there are gaps, she will supplement with her own research, which will include interviews with stakeholders within the arts community.  She will also be performing a high level evaluation of some potential or speculative sites for a future arts centre.

Her report is due by the end of October, 2020 and, so long as findings agree, will provide material, context and data to support the next phases of research, fundraising and community support.

The HHACF would also like to announce that it was not successful in this round of the SEED grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  The foundation received valuable feedback on its application and looks forward to reapplying in 2021.