Ontario Culture Days Festival Reveals 2024 Spotlight Recipients–and Best Collaborative Program winners are from Paris!

PRESS RELEASE – The Ontario Culture Days festival featured 1,853 free community events across every region of the province, making it Ontario's largest and most diverse celebration of arts, culture, and heritage this year in both scale and geographic reach. The fall festival, lasting three weeks from September 20th to October 13th, featured events across various municipalities, including 15 official provincial Festival Hubs Today, Ontario Culture Days is excited to announce the community recipients of the Spotlight Award, recognized for creating the top programs of the festival, including the public's choice for the most-loved event.

“With its wide selection of activities, exhibitions and innovative programming, the 2024 Ontario Culture Days festival was a tremendous success,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Every year, this engaging fall festival enables audiences of all ages to experience the best Ontario has to offer, while boosting local businesses across the province Congratulations to the Spotlight Award winners for their exceptional contributions to the celebration of arts and culture, enriching communities with their dedication to and passion for artistic expression.”

Paris artists Carolina Saenz and Lisa Franklin won Best Collaborative Program for combining creative visions with Paris Birds for Diversity Organized by Carolina Saenz from La Trena Tacos, Lisa Franklin from Forest and Folk, and Mountain Woodwork Canada, Paris Birds for Diversity invited participants to paint birds representing their identity and origins using materials like cardboard, sawdust, and corn husks The birds were displayed across downtown Paris, with a main exhibit at The Paris Wincey Mills Co, to celebrate diversity in this growing community.

The Spotlight Awards continue to honour the exemplary efforts of individuals and organizations across Ontario who have hosted arts and culture events and activities for their communities, with categories including Best InPerson Program, Best Collaborative Program, and

People's Choice. In its commitment to inclusivity, Ontario Culture Days once again will award the Warren Garrett Inclusive Programming Award, established in 2023. This award recognizes organizers whose leadership has shaped festival programming that breaks down barriers and fosters a more equitable arts and culture sector in Ontario. Named in honour of Warren Garrett, a founding board member of Ontario Culture Days and former Executive Director of Ontario Presents, it celebrates his commitment as an arts leader and advocate for community cultural development The recipients below exemplify innovative achievements in independent event creation and storytelling. The Ontario Culture Days Spotlight jurors evaluated each event to identify the organizers who delivered the most impactful programming