In November 2022, the RMG received a non-repayable contribution of $20,000 from Central Counties Tourism to support RMG Fridays. Prior to the pandemic, RMG Fridays were a highlight of the events calendar in Durham Region. These free community events were designed for all ages and have featured live music in our Permanent Collection gallery; short film screenings courtesy of Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF); and food and drink from various Durham-based businesses. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Central Counties Tourism received $8.65-million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
“The RMG was thrilled to receive this support for RMG Fridays to enable us to hold these events outdoors in summer 2022 as audiences became more comfortable gathering. We supported artists and performers we otherwise would not have been able to host, attracting over 1100 people to our events.”
Lauren Gould, CEO, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Since relaunching RMG Fridays in 2022, we’ve featured local musicians and performers such as: Dizzy, Wooly, NERiMA, Division Street, Desarae Dee, Hunter Sheridan, EQUAL, L CON, David Shewchuk, and Durham Storytellers. These Fridays of the month have continued to feature film screenings by Durham Region International Film Festival and free tours of our exhibitions by the RMG’s team of curators.
The RMG plans to continue this popular series in early 2023.
About Central Counties Tourism
Central Counties Tourism is the provincially-funded not-for-profit dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting tourism in Durham Region, York Region and the Headwaters Tourism Region. Since their inception, they have assisted dozens of municipalities through destination development and hundreds of tourism related businesses grow their capacity, strengthening the visitor economy in the region.
About the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.
