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© 2025 Lunenburg Foundation for the Arts
MANDATE
We provide small grants and bursaries to artists from all disciplines in Lunenburg County.
MISSION
We provide leadership, develop awareness and create synergies through education, advocacy and the distribution of grants.
VISION
We are dedicated to ensuring a vibrant future for the arts in Lunenburg County.
History
Founded in 2012 as a not-for-profit society, originally affiliated with the Lunenburg Art Gallery, the organization transitioned to become the Lunenburg Foundation for the Arts as a registered charity in 2015. This led to the establishment of a grant program for artists and arts projects in Lunenburg County, with the first awards handed out in 2017. Since that time, almost $60,000 has been awarded to local artists and arts organizations for a wide range of arts related activities in theatre, music, documentary films, visual arts, and Indigenous storytelling. The Earl Bailly bursary is awarded to high school graduates pursuing advanced education in the arts, and most recently, with the addition of Petite Queer Pride (PQP) to the Foundation, a new grant category has been added for the 2SLGBTQIA+ creative community.
Funding the grant programs presents a constant challenge for a minimalist, volunteer driven organization. Donors are an important source of revenue, and a newsletter keeps them informed and engaged. Over the years a series of fundraising events have had varying degrees of success. Local municipalities have recognized the role of the LFA and its contribution to local culture and provided small annual operating grants.
The LFA is the only organization of its kind in the area and when the need for a cultural plan was recognized, we played a central role in obtaining funding to hire consultants, establish a steering committee and hosting community round tables to inform a Lunenburg Cultural Action Plan. The Plan received approval from the Lunenburg Town Council in 2021 and the Steering Committee evolved into the Lunenburg Cultural Collective (LCC), a forum bringing together representatives of the local arts and culture organizations and tasked with implementation of the recommendations listed in the Action Plan. The LCC shares the LFA goal to ensure a vibrant future for arts and culture in the area.