Canvas & Culture Art Fest Partnership Earns Provincial Recognition

EDCO Award of Excellence highlights collaborative leadership in rural tourism development

The Wright Place is proud to celebrate a major provincial win for arts-led economic development in Strathroy-Caradoc. The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc has received an EDCO Award of Excellence for the 2025 Canvas & Culture Art Fest, recognizing the event in the category of Visitor Attraction & Tourism Product Development – Rural.

Presented by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), the Awards of Excellence honour innovative, collaborative initiatives that drive economic growth and strengthen communities across the province. This recognition reflects not only the success of the event itself, but the strength of the partnership that brought it to life.

A Partnership Built to Deliver Impact

Canvas & Culture Art Fest was the result of a purposeful collaboration between the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, the Downtown Strathroy Business Improvement Area (BIA), and The Wright Place. Together, we shared roles in designing an event that celebrated local artists, energized the downtown core, and positioned Strathroy-Caradoc as a growing destination for arts, culture, and tourism.

The Wright Place was proud to help play a key role in shaping the event’s creative vision and execution, leveraging its expertise in the local arts community to help transform a creative concept into a high-impact visitor experience. By aligning cultural programming with economic and tourism goals, the partnership demonstrated how arts and culture can serve as a powerful driver of rural economic development.

Showcasing the Power of Arts and Culture

The Canvas & Culture Art Fest attracted residents and visitors alike, increased downtown foot traffic, and supported local businesses. The event showcased the value of arts and culture in a rural setting, while creating a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere that encouraged people to explore, connect, and return.

EDCO’s recognition underscores the measurable cultural and economic impact of the event, as well as its potential to serve as a best-practice model for other rural communities across Ontario.

Celebrating a Collective Achievement

The Wright Place extends congratulations to the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc and the Downtown Strathroy BIA on this well-deserved honour, and sincere thanks to the artists, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who contributed to the festival’s success.

This award is a testament to what can be achieved when strong partnerships lead with creativity, shared purpose, and a commitment to community impact.

Left to right: Lauren Huston (The Wright Place), Julianne Kloss (Downtown BIA), Kait Topham (Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc)