OCAF NEWS
Remembering OCAF Founding Board Member, Michael Koerner
OCAF is deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Koerner, one of the Fund’s founding Board members and a highly respected figure in Canada’s philanthropic and business communities.
Koerner’s leadership and reputation played a defining role in OCAF’s early days, helping establish a strong foundation for growth and impact across Ontario’s arts and culture sector.
Beyond OCAF, Koerner is widely recognized for his enduring contributions to arts and education, supporting major cultural institutions and championing access to the arts across the country. His legacy is reflected not only in the organizations he supported, but in the strength of the cultural ecosystem he helped shape.
Read the full obituary here.
OCAF Funding Announcement in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
MPP for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, Billy Denault, announced $30,000 in OCAF funding supporting two cultural events in the region.
Funding includes $20,000 for Pembroke Public Library to support the Pembroke Multicultural Festival, and $10,000 for Barry’s Bay BIA to support Bay Day 2026, helping both events expand their marketing efforts, attract new audiences, and strengthen cultural tourism across the Ottawa Valley.
OCAF Executive Director Thomas Vaughan joined MPP Denault for the announcement and highlighted OCAF’s commitment to supporting more organizations across Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke as the region’s cultural sector continues to grow.
OCAF-Supported Events Across Ontario
Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario: 8th Sudbury Alternative Art Fair
The Sudbury Alternative Art Fair (FAAS 8 – Haszard) transforms Larch Street into an open-air exhibition, where vehicles become canvases for site-specific contemporary art. With the street closed, artists activate cars, trucks, and more with installations exploring chance, risk, and unpredictability.
Developed in real time, the project invites spontaneous interaction between artists and the public, reimagining everyday urban space as a place for experimentation, dialogue, and collective creativity.
Extended: It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken at Theatre Aquarius
Theatre Aquarius presents It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken, a new musical inspired by the songs of The Tragically Hip.
The production weaves the band’s iconic music into a story about love, memory, and life in Canada, celebrating the lasting impact of one of the country’s most influential rock bands and the connections their music continues to create across generations.
SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival
SING! returns with a dynamic lineup of live vocal performances and interactive experiences across the city. Highlights include performances by The Real Group, the Canadian A Cappella Championships, and community sing-along events that invite audiences to take part.
Spanning a wide range of styles, from a cappella and choral to contemporary vocal music, the Festival brings together local and international artists.
Bay Day 2026
Bay Day kicks off with a series of community-focused events from May 14 to 18, bringing residents and visitors together to celebrate local culture and creativity including an Opening Ceremony, Movie Night, Car Show, Pet Show, Fashion Show and Talent Show showcasing local talent.
Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish
The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company presents Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, a powerful reinterpretation of the classic musical performed in its original language.
This production offers an authentic and immersive cultural experience, deepening the emotional resonance of a story that has connected with audiences for generations.