Lambton's 2026 Creative County Grant Program recipients announced

Wyoming, ON - The Creative County Grant Program has approved 20 projects for funding for the 2026 program year, representing an investment of $75,165 in funding to support local arts, culture, and heritage initiatives.

The Committee received 40 requests for funding this year, amounting to over $239,000 in asks from community organizations and individuals.

Each year, the Program makes available up to $75,000 in funding. $35,000 of this funding is set aside for projects that have a County-wide impact, and $10,000 is allocated to each of the four geographic quadrants of the County (Sarnia, North, Central, and South). This year, the Committee drew upon established reserves for an additional $165 to complete funding for the approved projects.

The Committee evaluated each application against the program criteria and available funds and approved the following 20 grant contributions for the 2026 program year:

• $1,100 to Cabin Fever JMF Inc. to support new music releases 'No Back Page' and 'Good Old Days'.
• $1,500 to the Sarnia Concert Association to work with community groups to provide free tickets to engage a more diverse audience for its concert series.
• $3,500 to Kettle Point Productions for their Summer Screening Party event.
• $10,000 to artist Morris Wazney, SHED 28, to produce a bronze monument installation at Whtye Park, Forest, to commemorate the park’s 100^th anniversary.
• $5,000 to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority for the Arkona Lions Museum modernization and accessibility initiative.
• $3,250 to Town of Petrolia to support the delivery of Petrolia’s Eats, Beats and Boutiques event.
• $5,000 to the Central Lambton Health Team to support its music program Tuning In: Community Notes on Bridging Gaps Due to Loneliness.
• $4,000 to the Bluewater Wind Ensemble for their Fill the Hall project, to continue to build the base of musicians and audience members from all corners of Lambton County.
• $3,625 to the nuSarnia Foundation for its Village of Care: Community-Led Mural project.
• $3,100 to the International Symphony Orchestra to support Music Brings Joy: A Sensory-Friendly Experience.
• $2,040 to The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts for their development and networking program for artists.
• $1,450 to local Girl Guides to support the event Celebrating 100 Years of Girl Guides in Lambton County.
• $5,000 to the Arkona 150 Anniversary Committee to support its planned Arkona150^th Anniversary event.
• $5,000 to the Town of Plympton Wyoming for its anniversary project Celebrating 25 Years of Plympton-Wyoming while Recognizing the Past that Shaped Us.
• $5,000 to The Village of Oil Springs to support the production of historical flags and banners that promote the community’s history and commemorate local veterans.
• $5,000 to Moore Agricultural Society for its Heritage Mural Series project.
• $2,000 to Sombra Museum to support the installation of the Frank Moffat Propeller Exhibit.
• $5,000 to the Corunna Kiwanis Club for the creation of the Corunna Library Mural - Welcome to Corunna!
• $3,350 to the Inwood 150^th Celebration Committee to support the Inwood 150 Music Festival and other events in 2026.
• $1,250 for the Corunna Street Festival to support Creative Car Kits for Kids.

The funding provided, which cannot exceed 50% of the total project costs, leverages significant local cultural investment by applicant organizations and their respective partners.

The Creative County Grant Program was launched in 2013 to support innovative projects that build cultural capacity, strengthen the creative community, define the County's unique identity and enrich the quality of life of all residents.

The next application intake is scheduled for the fall of 2026 and will support initiatives taking place during the year 2027. For more information about Lambton's Creative County Grant Program, visit lambtononline.ca/creativecounty.

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Please contact:

Tracy Kingston
Chair, Creative County Committee
519-312-3747
tracy.kingston.council@gmail.com

Andrew Meyer
General Manager, Cultural Services Division
County of Lambton
519-845-0809 ext. 5236
Email Andrew Meyer