The Agnes Etherington Art Centre is receiving $100,000 in support from the federal government, it was announced on Monday.

A total of $251,289 from the Tourism Relief Fund will support five recipients as part of an effort to help small tourism businesses and organizations. Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen made the announcement at The Agnes on behalf of Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The non-repayable contribution to the Agnes will go towards producing the first Canadian performance of “The Assembly” by internationally-acclaimed video artist and filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa in collaboration with local artists and businesses in Kingston. “The Assembly” is a living, evolving performance piece created by Saro-Wiwa in collaboration with local audience-participants to share and express her findings on African sociality, botanicals, spirituality, and science. The event includes a performance lecture, film screening, silent tastings, sound baths, storytelling, academic talks, and food.

“Our government recognizes that tourism is vitally important to the vibrancy and economic health of communities across southern Ontario,” Minster Tassi says. “I am committed to helping businesses find new and innovative ways to recover and thrive once again. Investments through the Tourism Relief Fund help ensure that the region’s tourism sector will be well-positioned to welcome back visitors today and in the years to come.”

Also receiving support are Kingston WritersFest, City of Kingston, Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area, and The Blue Moose B & B Inc.