After distributing $1.25 million to 47 arts, culture, and charitable organizations in 2020, EPCOR announced this week that it will bump up its COVID-inspired fund by an additional $1 million as a direct response to community need.
With more than 400 artists employed and at least 100 new works produced in the past year, the fund has been an important and responsive lifeline for creatives in the city during the pandemic.
“EPCOR’s financial support over the past year has allowed us to find new and innovative ways to continue doing what we do best – connect audiences and artists,” said Megan Dart, interim executive director of Edmonton Fringe Theatre Adventures.
Other works supported by the fund in 2020 included filming the Citadel Theatre's A Christmas Carol, Theatre Network's Book Club for plays, numerous online performance offerings from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and other outlets, plus six festivals and installations at the Valley Zoo, Telus World of Science, and Fort Edmonton Park.
As with many of the funding programs emerging from the pandemic's closures, there's a straightforward application process, and grants available from $5,000 to $100,000. Applications will stay open until the $1 million is fully allocated.