Kawartha Lakes Arts Council launches new way to support arts community
In 2021, Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is committed to unite and energize the local arts and culture community, with an innovative sales and marketing digital platform.
As a result of COVID-19, the Board of Kawartha Lakes Arts Council was forced to cancel the 4th annual two-day Made in Kawartha Lakes Art Show & Sale (MIKL) held in November. The annual show was missed by many who benefited from the exposure, sales and collaboration. As reflected by James Lukow of Your Dreams in Wood, “The show was missed for many reasons. I always look forward to checking in with fellow artisans and Arts & Heritage Trail members. Having attended for the last number of years I've noticed that people have specifically looked for me.”
In order to better support its members, the Arts Council has developed a strategic digital plan to include a refresh of logo and brand, and the creation of a new website with a digital sales and marketing platform for members, offering a year-round marketplace of arts and cultural products and services.
The new kawarthalakesartscouncil.com website and sales platform supported by a social media plan will have significant reach within Kawartha Lakes and adjacent communities. Members currently not selling online will have the opportunity to set up a presence to promote and sell their art securely year-round, with bonus of support and online sales training. For those already online, this new platform will expand their reach and grow their sales and audience.
This new innovative vision required strategy, funding and partners. Gratefully appreciated financial support was secured from Community Partners who have stepped up to invest in the Kawartha Lakes arts and culture sector and the recovery of our community from COVID-19: LLF Lawyers LLP, DLF Pickseed, Economic Development of City of Kawartha Lakes and Barton Creative Co. Bill Lockington, a long-time supporter of arts and culture in the region commends KLAC on this initiative: “Since 2017, LLF has been a Community Partner of KLAC. Artists have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. This initiative will help promote artists and sustain their creative work – something our community needs now and into the future. Our firm is pleased to join other partners in support of this strategic digital plan.”
No part of this project would have been realized without the Digital Innovation and Technology
Improvements funding stream of the Rural Innovation Initiative delivered through Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation and supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Vince Killen, Executive Director of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation notes: "The KLCFDC is proud to support this initiative through the Rural Innovation Initiative. It is exciting to see organizations like the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council leading innovative marketing initiatives, which will help support their membership (of more than 80 individual artists, patrons, cultural organizations and community supporters). Through implementation of this project, Kawartha Lakes arts and culture businesses will gain access to new markets and be able to further extend their reach online."
