Ontario's Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund invests $3.3 million in Ontario’s cultural industries

The Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture, announced the investment of $3.3 million from Ontario’s Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund in 16 innovative initiatives. The recipients and their projects were announced at a news conference held on November 26, 2008 at the Ontario Trade & Investment Centre.

“Ontario’s cultural industries are a vital contributor to economic growth and prosperity in this province. This investment will help our cultural industries seize the economic opportunities before them and increase their competitive advantage in the global marketplace,” said Carroll.

“As a recipient of the Partnerships Fund, we are excited to work with people who know the challenges and obstacles for people with disabilities in exploring opportunities in the film and television community,” said Laurie McArthur, Services Co-ordinator, University of Toronto, Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC). “The development and implementation of a uniquely accessible, interactive online support system with social networking and an online learning system will provide extensive knowledge, break down attitudinal and physical barriers to inclusion, and will build lasting alliances between the University of Toronto and the broadcast sector which will benefit the industry as a whole.”

“DIG London is pleased to have the support and backing of the OMDC’s Partnerships Fund. Ontario colleges and universities are producing some of the best talent in the world in the area of interactive media. The DIG London conference will help grow and strengthen local video game companies by facilitating communications and promoting industry opportunities to this talent pool,” said Michael Schmalz, CFO of Digital Extremes. Since its inception, the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund has provided support to 43 projects involving 285 partners with combined budgets of $15.9 million dollars.

To find out details about the 16 initiatives go to http://www.omdc.on.ca/PageFactory.aspx?PageID=5235
(Photo of recipients in pdf by Michael Hudson)