Markham Announces Ontario 150 Grants & Canada 150 Community Artwork

Today, Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Members of Council were joined by the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade and MPP for Markham-Unionville to announce $210,249 in grant funding to support the City of Markham’s Ontario150 initiatives in 2017. Residents and visitors to Markham will experience vibrant, inclusive and educational programs, displays and events that celebrate and commemorate Ontario and Canada's 150th anniversaries.

Markham's Signature 2017 Celebration

On September 10, the City will host Markham Expo 150 outdoors at the Markham Civic Centre. This will be the City’s biggest event of 2017. The Expo is a free event that will explore Markham’s past, present and future – bringing together people from all walks of life. It will feature interactive exhibitions, vendors, demonstrations and more! It will also include the ONtour Concert Series – a summer concert series stopping in more than 20 communities across the Province. It will showcase some of Ontario’s brightest homegrown musical talent and is guaranteed to be the soundtrack for the summer of 2017.
Ontario150 funding: $70,000

Growing Innovation — Celebrating Markham's Agricultural Fingerprint

A year-long series of activities, exhibitions and events in tribute of Markham's agriculture industry. This educational project will attract visitors of all ages to the Museum, and features several must-see attractions, including:

• Special Family Sunday programming
  
• Geared for Growing exhibition
  
• Speakers’ Forum with local farmers and food producers
  
• School programming
  
• The newly refurbished Honey House
  

Ontario150 funding: $70,000

Markham Youth Hub @ Aaniin Community Centre & Library

This program will be permanently located at the new Aaniin Community Centre and Library, offering programs designed to increase access to free drop-in recreation, health, education and life skills, employment readiness programming for youth in southeast Markham. Whatever they need, we’ve got it – from making memories with new friends, to overcoming life challenges with support you can count on. The Markham Youth Hub is open from 4 – 8 p.m., Monday to Friday, and is temporarily located at Armadale Community Centre (2401 Denison Street).

Partners: 360Kids, Social Services Network, York Region District School Board and Centre for Immigrant and Community Services

Ontario150 funding: $70,249

Showcasing Local Artists

Five students from Unionville High School, led by Visual Arts Department Head Shane Clodd, working with the City’s Public Realm Office, also revealed local Canada 150-inspired artwork that will be used to wrap traffic boxes at intersections across Markham. This artwork will beautify our neighbourhoods, leave a lasting Canada 150 legacy in our community and embrace the themes of:

• Diversity, inclusion and building common interests and relationships
  
• Supporting efforts towards reconciliation of indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians
  
• Supporting environmental awareness and actions
  
• Connecting to symbols of Canada and what it means to be a Canadian
  
• Animating the City’s motto: “Leading While Remembering”
  

This initiative is part of Markham’s Public Realm program.

Quotes

• “The City of Markham is proud to have been selected to receive $211,685 in grant funding through Ontario 150 for its Growing Innovations, Youth Hub and Markham Expo 150 initiatives,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.” Together these initiatives will showcase creative, inclusive and vibrant programs and events that celebrate and commemorate Ontario and Canada's 150th anniversaries.”

• “Ontario150 is an opportunity for Ontarians to celebrate the history and legacy of our great province, and to reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve taken together,” said Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our government is proud to help Markham and communities across Ontario mark this historic year through the Ontario150 funding programs. These investments will positively impact people right across the province by supporting exciting events and initiatives and creating strong economic, cultural and social legacies.”

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