Lasting Legacy: In 2015, a legacy gift from Michael Martin’s estate was made to the Foundation. It was Mr. Martin’s strong wish to support arts and culture infrastructure projects. Because of that wish, the Foundation’s Board approved the Michael Martin Leadership Fund. This fund assists fledgling community arts infrastructure projects in need of in-kind organizational, administration, or office support.
Preserving the Past: In preparation for Canada’s Centennial, the Foundation worked with the City of Greater Sudbury and numerous groups and organizations to archive all activities that took place in Greater Sudbury for our Millennium. We raised funds to have commissioned a wooden sculpture with plaques memorializing all participating Millennium projects. It is displayed in the foyer of our civic offices, Tom Davies Square.
Informing the Present: In 2009, our Vital Signs report showed the need to develop the arts and culture sector in Greater Sudbury. With that information, the Foundation initiated a campaign to build a performing arts fund for our community. For four years, the Foundation developed the Jazz Festival, a showcase of local musical talent and beyond. Successful and growing, it was time to initiate the process to establish Jazz Sudbury, responsible for the Jazz Festival, as an independent not-for-profit. In 2016, the organization is putting on bigger and better productions.
Jazz Sudbury is now a registered charity and looking to its 9th Festival.
Looking to the Future: In 2012, a request was presented to the Foundation by a steering committee made up of a group of citizens and local organizations who wanted to undertake a feasibility study for a performing arts and conference centre. The Foundation agreed to embark on providing formal oversight and management of the study. It was funded by 3 levels of government and recently, the steering committee incorporated. The project has now been prioritized by City Council.