With deals in place for new seasons of long-running PBS Kids hit Arthur and Netflix original Kulipari, Montreal, Canada-based Oasis Animation has secured US$2.6 million (CAD$3.3 million) in financial contributions to help the 2D animation studio double its workforce by the end of 2019 to nearly 200 people, including 100 new animators.

A portion of the funding includes two repayable financial contributions—US$446,577 (CAD$577,500) from the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation (MESI), and US$328,649 (CAD$425,000) from Canada Economic Development (CED).

Quebec’s Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity has also ponied up US$167,591 (CAD$216,724) to help Oasis train 125 employees, including 100 new 2D animation artists at the studio’s new training campus.

With Oasis forecasting that more than 80% of its revenues will come from the export of digital animation services in 2018 and 2019 (mostly from the US), MESI is providing an additional US$29,703 (CAD$38,412) through its Programme Exportation (PEX) to support the company’s export business. Oasis will also leverage US$1,602,540 (CAD$2,072,364) of its own funds to support its growth.

The financial support was spurred on by the appointment of Oasis by Arthur producers PBS and WGBH to produce seasons 22 through 25 of the popular preschool show, and by LA-based Splash Entertainment to help make a second season of Netflix original series Kulipari.

Since launching in 2003 by founding president Jacques Bilodeau, Oasis has become one of Canada’s largest 2D-focused studios specializing in high-quality original content.