Canadian Landscapes

Greetings, my name is Rick Moulton, and I have the privilege of chairing a truly brilliant Board of Directors for the Quinte Arts Council. As the latest in a line of dedicated Board Chairs—most recently Brit Johnston—I am deeply aware of the significant role the QAC plays in our community. Guided by our Mission Statement, we are proud to be the community leader in advancing, cultivating, promoting, and advocating for an inclusive, vibrant, and diverse arts community in the Quinte region.

How do we do this? By empowering artists through community programs such as Arts Education, YouthCreate, CreateWell, Arts Recognition Awards and professional development; by securing space for individuals and groups to create and share their work; and by producing and curating content through our website, social media channels, and of course, our extraordinary Umbrella magazine. This is a huge commitment, requiring the collaboration of numerous writers, contributors, and QAC staff—resulting in an exceptional return on your investment.

And the results speak for themselves. A recent report by the Ontario Arts Council shows that Belleville ranks second only to Ottawa in arts and culture job creation in Eastern Ontario. The same study found that “every dollar invested by the Ontario Arts Council generates $25 in other sources of revenue” (Arts Across Ontario Study, 2024). This is powerful evidence that supporting the QAC not only uplifts artists, but also strengthens our local economy.

Can we do more? Absolutely. With increased funding, the QAC can expand its programs, support more artists, and further enrich the cultural identity that helps our region thrive.

On behalf of our entire team, thank you for your continued support of our work and our shared goal of advancing the arts in our region.

Finally, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our newest board members, Donna Davies and Christina Akrong. We are so pleased to have your passion and insight at the table as we continue building a bright future for the arts in Quinte.

Cheers, Rick