Arbor Gallery in Vankleek Hill is an Ontario-based charity, which plays a vital role in enriching its rural community through the arts and culture. It has grown significantly since its foundation in 1994, establishing itself as a noteworthy venue that offers artists a platform to showcase their work, engage with the community, and sell their creations. As a charity, the gallery focuses on education by providing workshops, collaborating with local schools, and on the enhancement of public appreciation of the arts through monthly exhibitions and performance events, featuring both local and visiting artists.
Community feedback highlights the gallery’s significance as a cultural hub, contributing to the vibrancy of the local artistic scene. However, sustaining a charity focused on art and culture presents challenges, especially in rural areas. It relies on donations, subsidies and public funds, which can fluctuate greatly through time. Thankfully, things turned around a few years ago when the gallery joined the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA) and its funding program. Supporting organizations like Arbor Gallery, and various charities, the OCGA represents over 2,100 charities and non-profits and has helped redistribute over $500 million to member organizations across the province to date.
Last Tuesday and Saturday, Arbor Gallery held information and recruitment sessions for their charitable gaming volunteer team. They highlighted the critical role of the program and how it has been significant to the gallery’s growth and success. “This program has been a lifesaver,” explains Sylvie Bouchard, Secretary-Treasurer of the gallery’s board of directors, “it gives us a stable source of financing that covers fundamental expenses like rent and payroll. Without it, I am afraid we would not have survived much longer.”
Participants were shown how recent changes to the gaming model have made it easier for volunteers to participate without handling cash or selling products, requiring only two volunteers for two-hour sessions, which in this case are held at the Delta Bingo gaming facility, in Hawkesbury. These changes highlight the OCGA’s goal to enhance community awareness and engagement, ensuring that charities like Arbor Gallery can continue to thrive and serve their cultural mission effectively. “I am pleased with the results of our recent recruitment drive,” states Bouchard, “we were able to nearly double our volunteer team for the OCGA program. This will help secure our resources, allowing us to continue to deliver our program and fulfill our mission.”
To learn more about the Ontario Charitable Gaming program: https://charitablegaming.ca/
To find out more about Arbor Gallery: www.arborgallery.org
