The County of Lambton's Creative County Committee has given 19 projects a funding boost through its Creative County Grant Program.
The program was launched in 2013 to support innovative projects that build cultural capacity, strengthen the creative community, define the county's identity and enrich the quality of life for residents.
It also provides up to 50 per cent of total project costs for new arts, culture and heritage initiatives.
The county said the 2025 program represents an investment of $69,275 in funding.
The VON Ontario Student Nutrition Program received $10,000 towards Lambton Cultural Food Days to celebrate cultural diversity.
The Moore Agricultural Society was funded $7,500 towards the 175 Years of Growth project, supporting the events focusing on tradition, diversity, culture and community.
In support of the Village of Oil Springs 160th anniversary celebrations in 2025 the county gave $8,000.
BoWaine Ma was given $5,000 to support the pilot project A Photographic Memory of Surf and Skate Culture in Lambton County.
Meanwhile $5,000 in funding was also given to 234 Front St. North Inc., for a public art mural to be installed, the Kiwanis Club of Forest for a commemorative sign to support the Whyte Park Centennial Celebration initiative and nuSarnia Foundation towards the Pedal Through the Past: Sarnia Heritage Tour.
The Inwood 150th celebration committee to support the Inwood 150 Music Festival received $3,000 and $3,500 was given to Pathways Health Centre for Children for the theatre production Expressive Arts 2025.
Funding was also given to the Optimist Club of Grand Bend & District to support the community celebration, Beachfest and to Kip Cuthbert for the creation of the book Maud Hanna and Canatara Park. Each of these projects received $2,500.
Theatre Sarnia received a funding boost of $4,000 to support Indigenous cultural programming, including performance, storytelling, and art.
The committee also gave $1,500 to the Sarnia Concert Association for their community outreach initiatives to support a more diverse audience and to Heritage St. Clair for Discover the Heritage of St. Clair Township, an activity booklet based on the history and heritage of St. Clair Township.
Lastly, $1,250 was given to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority for the Campbell House Project interpretive signage, Sir John Moore Community School was given $1,000 for the Winter Book Club initiative, $775 was received by the Petrolia Discovery Foundation for interpretive signage to compliment guided and self-guided tours of the Petrolia Discovery site and $750 was given to the Kiwanis Club of Petrolia in support of enhancements to the Fiery Faces Halloween Program.
It's estimated the funding will leverage $322,152 in local cultural investment by applicant organizations and their respective partners in 2025.
The next application intake is scheduled for the fall of 2025 and will support initiatives for 2026.