Agreement renewed for Station Arts Centre

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Tillsonburg District Craft Guild to operate the Station Arts Centre was approved by town council at its last meeting.

The agreement includes a continuation of past terms and outlines the responsibilities of the craft guild and what the town will do to support it. This includes funding of $48,756, which is a constant amount that increases annually by the Consumer Price Index. Guild president Sarah Senior made a presentation to council last fall, outlining some of the challenges and goals of the group. Citing decreased donations and increased demands for programming, she requested one-time funding with the option of two levels.

Coun. Kelly Spencer referred to Senior’s presentation, and also to what she heard from residents, asking for a one-time grant of $7.844 funded from the tax rate stabilization reserve.

“Their donation numbers are down 37 per cent,” she said. “We’ve heard from several groups and people in town who said arts and culture take a back seat to sports.”

Spencer cited some of the statistics Senior presented, that 30,000 people visited the Station Arts Centre in 2024, more than 400 youth take part in the PA day programs and camps, and more than 200,000 visited the arts display at Turtlefest. She also said the youth council stated there is a need for more than sports in Tillsonburg.

“Their programs are affordable and accessible and families are already strained,” Spencer said. “The option of increasing prices is something they said they want to avoid.”

Since the last agreement was signed, minimum wage has increased 20 per cent and donations decreased 37 per cent. Spencer explained the funding would allow increased programing, which would increase revenue.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy cautioned against making agreements that will impact future years prior to the budget being set, but said she would support one-time funding.

Parker said he would also lean to one-time funding.

“It’s tough because I know we struggle to have enough spots for day camps and the Station Arts Centre offers an alternative,” he said.

Saying she would like this to pass, Spencer suggested sticking to adding one time funding of $7,844, instead of increasing the amount annually. The motion passed with renewal of the agreement and the additional funding.