Item - 2023.EC3.11

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to enter into annual agreements with the six Local Arts Service Organizations Arts Etobicoke, East End Arts, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts and UrbanArts Community Arts Council) subject to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the City Solicitor, the Deputy City Manager - Community and Social Services, and the Chief Financial Officer; and in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

a. compliance with the City's grants policies as established by City Council, including the Community Grants Policy;

b. that each organization submit its annual funding request to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, for recommendation to the Economic and Community Development Committee and City Council for approval;

c. that each organization submit its annual report and financial audit to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, for review; and

d. that the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

2. City Council approve the Economic Development and Culture Division's 2023 funding allocations, totalling $1,817,400 to the six Local Arts Service Organizations as follows:

Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs) are independent, not-for-profit, community arts organizations that promote arts and culture at the local level, bringing cultural vibrancy and arts participation opportunities to neighbourhoods across Toronto. The programming and services that they offer are affordable, and customized to local needs with a focus on reconciliation, inclusion and equity. They help advance the City's Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy and the Youth Equity Strategy, operating in underserved communities and in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs).  

The City of Toronto, through the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) division, provides financial support to six LASOs subject to annual contribution agreements. A total of $1,817,400 is included in the Economic Development and Culture 2023 Approved Operating Budget to fund the six LASOs. The recommended funding allocation presented in this report is aligned with the City’s strategic priority to invest in people and neighbourhoods, and is based on the LASOs' 2022 reports, reviewed by EDC staff with the support of an external peer advisory panel.

The recommended terms and conditions for annual agreements in this staff report will simplify the reporting process, and are also in recognition that grants are critical to the sustainability of organizations in the cultural sector and that efforts are needed to improve their accessibility, transparency and accountability. The recommendations made in this report reflect EDC's efforts at grant reform, as approved by City Council in February 2023 which aims to ensure that grants are equitable, transparent and in compliance with the City's Community Grants Policy, while advancing and supporting Toronto's cultural vibrancy.