The Blyth Festival has launched its first year-end fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $50,000 by December 31st. The theatre is asking its audiences, local businesses, and new supporters to help protect the future of Canadian storytelling.
For more than 50 years, Blyth has been the only professional theatre in Canada that focuses completely on new Canadian plays. However, with arts funding decreasing and costs rising, the Festival says it needs more community support. Artistic Director Gil Garratt says donations today will help ensure Canadian stories can continue to be created and shared.
New national research shows how important the arts industry is to the economy. Canada’s arts and culture sector added about $65 billion to the economy in 2024 and supported over one million jobs. Rural communities play a large role in this, yet many small organizations face financial challenges — including Blyth. In the past six years, the Festival has produced nearly $30 million in economic activity and created 358 jobs in Huron County.
Even with these impacts, funding for the arts is falling, and many groups are struggling to keep up with rising expenses. The Blyth Festival says continuing to produce Canadian theatre is important for cultural identity and independence.
Money raised in the campaign will support new Canadian plays, pay artists and staff, and fund the Festival’s New Play Development Program.
Donations can be made online, by phone, or by mail. Gifts made before December 31st will receive a 2025 charitable tax receipt.