Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund

Proud to support this year's programming!

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Yesterday, we were proud to join Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North–Burlington, and Natalie Pierre, MPP for Burlington, to announce the inaugural OCAF + Incite Foundation for the Arts Fund Matching Pilot Program supporting arts and cultural tourism across Hamilton and Burlington.

Together, OCAF and the Incite Foundation are investing $100,000 in six local arts and cultural organizations to help grow audiences, strengthen sustainability, and support vibrant community experiences across the region.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
Stan Cho

Join us for a special evening as we celebrate a major milestone for arts, culture, and community in Hamilton and Burlington.

Be there for the official announcement of the first-ever recipients of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund x Incite Foundation Fund Pilot, bringing even more cultural experiences to life across the region.

📅 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
🕕 6:00 to 8:00 PM
📍 Art Gallery of Burlington

Hear remarks from MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos and celebrate six local recipients of funding for arts, culture and heritage in the region!

RSVP: https://invite.social/7mmcejfe6telboer

May is packed with incredible OCAF-supported events across Ontario.

This month’s featured events:

• Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario Sudbury Alternative Art Fair | Sudbury | May 13–16
• Theatre Aquarius It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken | Hamilton | Until May 24
• Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival | Toronto | May 20–June 1
• Barry's Bay BIA Bay Day | Barry’s Bay | May 14–18
• Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish | Toronto | May 25–June 7

Discover what’s happening near you and explore even more events in our May newsletter:

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

May: Fiddler on the Roof, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, SING! International Vocal Arts Festival and more! OCAF is deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Koerner, one of the Fund’s founding Board members and a highly respected figure in Canada’s philanthropic and business communities.

Great to join MPP Billy Denault and local organizations in Pembroke to celebrate OCAF support for this summer’s festivals and events.

By investing in event marketing, we’re helping communities grow attendance, attract visitors, and amplify local impact.

Pembroke Public Library
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
Barry's Bay BIA

Returning to Toronto this summer with support from the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund!

🎉 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair turns 65!
Canada’s longest‑running outdoor art fair is back at Nathan Phillips Square with the anniversary theme “The Elegance of Longevity.”
Expect 400+ artists and electric energy! Mark your calendars!
📅 July 10–12
https://toaf.ca
We’re proud to support TOAF via Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund .

📸 TOAF

Looking forward to the 2026 Highland Games!

Thank you for this coverage AM800 CKLW...

KINGSVILLE HIGHLAND GAMES receives $20,000 in provincial funding.

Reporter: Meagan Delaurier
Published: April 10, 2026

An exciting funding announcement for the Kingsville Highland Games.

The Highland Games have received a $20,000 funding grant through the provincial government's Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF).

This funding will be used to advertise the 2026 games to the community.

The 2025 Highland Games were postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

This year's event is expected to feature fan favourites such as tug of war competitions, sheep herding, hammer events, caber toss, pipe band competitions and more.

Doug Plumb, Chair of the Kingsville Highland Games, says the financial support is incredible.

"This is quite a large event, and with the help of the province, and with the help of the Town of Kingsville, and all our generous sponsors that have private businesses here, and individuals... they've made it possible."

He says after the event was postponed last year, everyone seems very excited.

"We've had a lot of support, a lot of pre-sold tickets which is always a good sign when people want to buy a ticket this far in advance. So, it seems like the event is taking right off. Colasanti's is also helping to give us a spot, and they've been a tremendous help."

Plumb says tug of war will be the big event.

"We have a team coming from Northern Ireland, and also one from Nova Scotia, and one from Cornwall, and every place in between there as well... so that's going to be a big draw."

The event will take place on June 27 at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens.

This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund a program of the Government of Ontario for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

Anthony Leardi, PC Essex Dennis Rogers-Mayor of Kingsville Town of Kingsville Windsor & District Highland Dancer's Association

Excited to see this festival in June!

A big thank you to the Provincial Government, Premier Ford (FordNation) and Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund for the support for the 2026 Carrousel of the Nations. We very much appreciated the visit from Minister Graham McGregor and MPP Andrew Dowie PC, Windsor-Tecumseh several weeks ago to speak to us about the work we do here at the MCC and the Carrousel of the Nations. Thank you, and hope to see you in June for the 51st edition of the Carrousel of the Nations.

Great new resource!

William Schatten of Context Research Group shared fresh insights on the state of tourism in Ontario, offering a comprehensive “State of the Union” on the sector and what it signals for the months ahead.

This was part of the Tourism Opportunities Forum hosted by Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

Explore new interactive dashboards available through the Destination Ontario Insights Portal here:

DO Insights Discover insights, research, and publications on community and impact.