As a way to build the growing art community in town, the Route 22 Artist Collective received federal funding to provide entrepreneurial training and mentorship for local artists in Cochrane and the surrounding area.
The Government of Canada, through PrairiesCan, is investing $192,734 to allow Route 22 to support at least 60 local artists in developing their businesses via entrepreneurial training and mentorship.
The funding will also allow the collective to further develop physical and digital spaces for the sale of artwork, promoting artists at specialized events, and build collaborative relationships with Indigenous cultural organizations, artists, and arts communities.
PrairiesCan funding will be provided through the Community Economic Development and Diversification Program (CEDD).
Through CEDD, PrariesCan can create targeted investments that aim to generate sustainable, inclusive economic growth that helps communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to participate and benefit from economic opportunities.
Lara Kruger, Executive Director for Route 22, said it’s very rewarding to see the hard work of the collective and local artists to be recognized as valuable contributors of the local economy. She thanks PrairiesCan for their support alongside all funding partners that made this possible.
“We know that artists also bring cohesion and strength to our cultural identity and contribute to our economic diversity and social wellness,” Kruger said. “Working together and collaborating across local, municipal and regional levels has allowed us to strengthen our support base to have greater impact and to benefit our community as a whole.”
Kruger added that the creative economy helps play a significant role in contributing to Canada's GDP.
"The creative economy has been identified, by Calgary Arts Development, as the fastest growing economy in the world, with Calgary's alone contributing 2.1 billion to Canada's GDP," Kruger said.
Minister for PrairiesCan, Dan Vandal, said entrepreneurs in creative industries contribute to the cultural fabric of communities across the Prairies, adding that this funding will help further that idea for Route 22.
“Today’s investment will enable Route 22 Artist Collective to engage local artists in southern Alberta, including women and Indigenous creators, and ensure they benefit from business development resources, exposure to potential customers, training, and mentorship to keep growing as entrepreneurs,” Vandal said.
MP for Calgary Skyview, George Chahal, said the arts and culture sector is an important economic driver for Alberta. He is proud to see the government bolstering its capacity to create sustainable jobs and economic growth.
“This investment in Route 22 Artist Collective will help highlight the amazing talent of Cochrane and area artists while enabling them to reach their full potential as entrepreneurs and business owners,” Chahal said.
Route 22 would like to extend a special thank you to every partner and artist for being part of their collective success. They would also like to thank their funding partners that make up some of the 50 per cent contributions required to receive the federal funding.
This includes The Town of Cochrane, Totem Foundation, Cochrane Foundation, Rocky View County, Two Pharmacy, Bow River’s Edge Campground Society, Cochrane Lions Club, Cochrane Rotary Club, and corporate partners.
