Item - 2023.EC8.1

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to negotiate, approve, and execute an extension to the multi-year agreement with Toronto Arts Council, including any necessary amendments, for the administration and distribution of arts and culture funding on behalf of the City of Toronto from its current expiry date of December 31, 2023, until the earlier of March 31, 2025, or the approval of a new agreement by City Council.

The following gave a presentation to the Economic and Community Development Committee outlining the impact of the Toronto Arts Council’s 2022 grant programs for artists and arts organizations:

- Devyani Saltzman, President, Toronto Arts Council,

- Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation,

- Andrew Suri, Director of Granting, Toronto Arts Council), and

- Timaj Garad, Outreach and Access Program Manager, Toronto Arts Council.

Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is an independent non-profit organization that delivers grants to artists and arts organizations on behalf of the City of Toronto. Since 1974, TAC has offered innovative and responsive programs, enabling Toronto's creative community to explore, create and thrive. With funding of over $25 million annually, TAC grants lead to exhibitions, performances, readings and workshops seen each year by over 5 million people across the city.

The purpose of this report is to transmit TAC's annual report to the Economic and Community Development Committee, which is required per the terms of the Multi-Year Agreement (the "Agreement") between the City and TAC. The report provides an overview of TAC's activities and grant allocations from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

This report also seeks authority from City Council to extend the City's Agreement with TAC to March 31, 2025. The Agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the use of City funds by TAC and is set to expire on December 31, 2023. An extension of the current Agreement is recommended to allow for the City and TAC to use the forthcoming new Action Plan for Toronto's Culture Sector, scheduled for completion in mid-2024, as the basis to identify shared funding priorities for a new multi-year agreement. Staff will report to Economic and Community Development Committee with recommended terms and conditions for a new agreement prior to the renewed expiry date.