Good news, Canadian taxpayers: when Drake's annual OVO Fest returns this summer, it won't receive any funding from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Celebrate Ontario has released its list of festivals and events that will be receiving funding in 2015-2016. A number of musical events will be receiving grants, including Canadian Music Week ($90,000), Field Trip ($270,000), Sound of Music Festival ($247,500), NXNE at Yonge-Dundas Square ($247,500), TD Ottawa Jazz Festival ($270,000), Ottawa Bluesfest ($247,500), Hillside ($47,700) and many more. OVO Fest, however, is not on the list.
Last year, the government was criticized for giving OVO Fest a $300,000 grant. Ontario's Michael Chan of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport defended the grant, telling Billboard, "According to OVO Fest, this year's enhanced programs will lead to long-term improvements and an expected increase of over 15,000 in attendance."
Meanwhile, this lack of a grant presumably won't hinder OVO Fest too much. Now privately funded, it will be returning for its sixth annual edition on August 2 and 3 at Toronto's Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Drake will perform along with J. Cole, Big Sean, YG, Jeremih, Bas, Cozz and Omen. There will also be a comedy show from Kevin Hart on August 1.
Celebrate Ontario has released its list of festivals and events that will be receiving funding in 2015-2016. A number of musical events will be receiving grants, including Canadian Music Week ($90,000), Field Trip ($270,000), Sound of Music Festival ($247,500), NXNE at Yonge-Dundas Square ($247,500), TD Ottawa Jazz Festival ($270,000), Ottawa Bluesfest ($247,500), Hillside ($47,700) and many more. OVO Fest, however, is not on the list.
Last year, the government was criticized for giving OVO Fest a $300,000 grant. Ontario's Michael Chan of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport defended the grant, telling Billboard, "According to OVO Fest, this year's enhanced programs will lead to long-term improvements and an expected increase of over 15,000 in attendance."
Meanwhile, this lack of a grant presumably won't hinder OVO Fest too much. Now privately funded, it will be returning for its sixth annual edition on August 2 and 3 at Toronto's Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Drake will perform along with J. Cole, Big Sean, YG, Jeremih, Bas, Cozz and Omen. There will also be a comedy show from Kevin Hart on August 1.
