Item - 2024.EC16.1

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt and direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to implement the actions in Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035), as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (October 8, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and other relevant City divisions to include the staffing and resources required for implementing Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035) for consideration through the 2025 Budget process and subsequent years budget processes.

3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to negotiate, enter into, and amend any agreements necessary to support the implementation of Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035) and these recommendations, within the resources included in the operating or capital budget, on terms satisfactory to them, and in forms and terms satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to develop an online dashboard to report on the impacts of Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035).

5. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in collaboration and consultation with other relevant City divisions, agencies and corporations to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in 2027 on implementation progress and outcomes of the actions in Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035).

6. City Council forward Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035), outlined as Attachment 1 to the report (October 8, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to the following provincial ministries for their consideration: Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and Ministry of Sport; and Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade; and request these ministries work with the City to address the urgent need for actions to address funding, stability, and affordability for the cultural sector and collaborate with City staff to advance the Action Plan.

7. City Council forward Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2035-2035), outlined as Attachment 1 to the report (October 8, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to the following federal departments for their consideration: Canadian Heritage; Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario; Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada; and request these departments work with the City to address the urgent need for actions to address funding, stability, and affordability for the cultural sector and collaborate with City staff to advance the Action Plan.

8. City Council affirm the City’s support for decent work and stability for all artists and culture makers across the City.

9. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to undergo an inventory of City-operated arts and culture programming at community recreation centres and facilities, identifying areas to extend free arts programming at these centres and that:

a. there be a focus on Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, low-income areas and serving youth, Black and Indigenous residents; and

b. opportunities for artists, prioritizing those of similar backgrounds to the above, to instruct and practice their craft, be identified.

10. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture in collaboration with the General Manager, Transportation Services, the General Manager, Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning to report back in the second quarter of 2025 on the following:

a. identify options for new investments and an expansion of the StreetArtToronto program to provide more support for artists and beautify our City to include more areas beyond main streets, including in parks and community recreation centres; and

b. assess opportunities for expansion of projects such as Art on Barton, which provided opportunities for artists to activate a building set for demolition with public art.

11. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with relevant city divisions, to prioritize options for alternative cultural space ownership and operation, including social and community ownership, cultural spaces trusts and land trusts, and worker co-operative models.

The Economic and Community Development Committee heard a presentation from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035) sets an ambitious 10-year vision for Toronto as a city for culture and creativity, where everyone, everywhere, can discover, experience, and create culture. This vision positions Toronto as an undeniable global cultural capital, celebrated for its exciting and expansive cultural and creative industry offerings as well as its accomplished talent. Culture is engrained in this city, making Toronto a better place to live, work, and visit. It drives economic growth, strengthens community bonds, and promotes social well-being, helping to create thriving, healthy communities.

It has been over a decade since the City’s last culture plan, Creative Capital Gains, was introduced in 2011. Since then, there have been significant economic, cultural, and societal shifts – and a devastating global pandemic. Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto’s culture sector is at an inflection point and faces great instability. Challenges include access to space, affordability, equity, changing audience habits, and sponsor supports. As emphasized in public consultations, the Action Plan also has a significant focus on ensuring culture becomes more available to people across the city, wherever they live, close to their homes, and embedded in their communities. A new Action Plan is needed to address the current obstacles and seize the opportunities of the next 10 years. Inaction would threaten Toronto’s vibrancy, liveability, and prosperity. Now is the moment to invest in culture, chart a forward path, and reinforce and reimagine culture in Toronto.

Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035), included as Attachment 1, has been shaped and guided by community input. The Action Plan includes 28 actions grouped into four priority areas: 1) Culture Everywhere; 2) Culture for All; 3) Culture for the Future; and 4) Culture Beyond our Borders. These priorities are based on input shared by more than 4,000 residents throughout the Action Plan’s community engagement process, comprehensive research conducted by the University of Toronto, and best practices from leading cities from around the world.

This report outlines the need for an action plan, detailing the engagement process and key results as well as the Action Plan’s vision, priorities, and core components. This includes the Year One focus, the framework for ongoing engagement, and accountability measures, such as regular progress reporting.

The Action Plan includes both urgent actions to immediately address critical challenges, and long-term actions to drive systemic change. The urgent need to invest and connect will be the focus of Year One of the Action Plan, including increased support for the Toronto Arts Council; funds to support stabilization and transformation for cultural organizations; and hosting the inaugural Mayor’s Culture Summit. Throughout its implementation, the Action Plan will focus on impacts and outcomes, continued engagement, transparency, and accountability. With Culture Connects, the City presents a bold strategy to transform current realities and seize opportunities to create a vibrant and prosperous future for culture in Toronto.