Guelph dance school needs funding after city funding was denied | Globalnews.ca

The Guelph Dance Company needs funding.

A local charitable arts organization is seeking to raise funds after failing to receive operating funds from the City of Guelph for the first time in more than 20 years.

Managing Director Adriana Rosselli said the organization has launched a fundraiser and has raised about $10,000 so far.

“It’s been great to have the support from the community because it really helps us avoid a significant deficit for the 2024 fiscal year and the 2024 (Guelph Dance) Festival,” Rosselli said.

She said individuals and businesses have contributed through donations and sponsorships.

Guelph Dance has an annual budget of $225,000, of which about 5 per cent typically comes from the city. The organization is still operating and will not close, but it may cut back on some programs and activities in the future if it loses funding.

Rosselli said it did receive a little money from the city — more than $2,200 from the city’s expense reimbursement fund, which will be used to pay for the rent of the city facility.

She said the lack of funding will also affect the Guelph Dance Festival on June 1, the group's largest festival of the year.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to invite two companies to the festival,” she said.

Rosselli said the cost to a company is about $5,000 to $10,000. Depending on the size of the company, this amount is usually used to cover expenses, accommodation, travel and per diems.

She said in addition to provincial and federal funding, municipal support is also important.

“You might think it’s only 5% of the budget, but the impact of not receiving that 5% is very specific,” she said.

Despite the rejection, Rosselli said the organization will continue to apply for grants from the city each year.

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