Community NewsToronto

City of Toronto Unveils 10-Year Action Plan to Enhance Cultural Landscape

Toronto – The City of Toronto has launched a comprehensive 10-year initiative aimed at transforming and strengthening the city’s cultural landscape. The newly unveiled staff report, Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto, lays out a vision for significant investment in the arts to benefit artists, cultural organizations, and the community.

Mayor Olivia Chow, alongside Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), presented the plan, which outlines steps to elevate Toronto as a global cultural hub. The initiative was guided by an Advisory Panel consisting of 20 cultural community leaders and overseen by Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council and Foundation.

The plan emerged from extensive consultations with over 4,000 community members, artists, and cultural stakeholders. It outlines ambitious strategies to increase cultural investments, create new cultural spaces, and expand opportunities for local and international cultural engagement. The goal is to make Toronto’s cultural offerings accessible to all and ensure diverse representation in programming.

Key components of Culture Connects include:

  • Culture Everywhere: Developing one million square feet of new cultural spaces across Toronto over the next decade.
  • Culture for All: Guaranteeing every Toronto resident has access to a free cultural experience in their neighborhood each month.
  • Culture for the Future: Increasing the city’s investment in arts and culture by $35 million over the next 10 years.
  • Culture Beyond Borders: Supporting 1,000 new creative export and artist exchange projects to promote Toronto’s cultural presence globally.

The action plan is aligned with the city’s broader objectives, such as Reconciliation efforts, fostering livable communities, and advancing environmental sustainability. The report will be reviewed by the Economic and Community Development Committee on October 23, 2024, before being referred to City Council for approval in November.

For more details, the staff report and full action plan are accessible at Toronto Council website.

SOURCE City of Toronto

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