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  Cultural Services

The City of Toronto is proud to play a vital role in the cultural life of the city. Committed to the development of arts and culture in the City of Toronto, the Toronto Culture undertakes a range of responsibilities including:

  • the operation and administration of many museums, historic sites, performing and visual arts centres;financial support for cultural activity and individual artists;encouraging public art projects in both private and public developments; and
  • assisting a wide range of community arts organizations in accessing and sharing municipal services and facilities.

Central to the mandate of the Toronto Culture is:

  • promoting the development of arts, culture and heritage throughout the City;
  • ensure accessibility to a variety of cultural activities that enhance the cultural attractions of the Toronto Region; and
  • providing direct cultural services through its museums and historic sites, and supporting the entire cultural sector of the community.

Fourth Poet Laureate Appointed

George Elliott Clarke

City Council has appointed George Elliott Clarke as Toronto's fourth Poet Laureate. Clarke replaces Dionne Brand, whose three-year term expired this fall. George Elliott Clarke is a Governor General's Award for Poetry winner (2001) and is an Officer of the Order of Canada; he is currently the University of Toronto's E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian Literature. Learn more.


Making Space for Culture: Public Consultations

Making Space for Culture: Public Consultations

In the 2011 report, Creative Capital Gains: An Action Plan for Toronto, the City of Toronto identified its role in supplying "affordable, sustainable cultural space" for use by cultural industries, not-for-profit organizations and community groups.

To help guide future potential investment when opportunities arise, Toronto's Cultural Services has embarked on a ward-by-ward consultation and planning process to determine local priorities. Learn more.


Toronto in Time Toronto in Time
Ever wanted to travel back in time? The Toronto in Time app turns your smartphone into a time machine. The free software application - designed to be compatible with Android, iPhone, iPod touch and iPad (and developed by The City of Toronto Museums, Heritage Toronto and the Historica-Dominion Institute) - lets you explore the past in all sorts of ways.


Mural from travelling exhibit Outcome of the War of 1812: First Nations Betrayed
Museum Services forges unprecedented partnership with the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation with a new travelling exhibition, Outcome of the War of 1812: First Nations Betrayed. The exhibit launches on June 22, 2013 at the official opening for the New Credit Community Centre.


Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812

1812 Toronto - logo

Two hundred years of peace makes it easy to forget a war. How will you remember? Toronto's bicentennial commemoration will make your experience of the War of 1812 unforgettable.



Creative Capital Gains

Councillor Michael Thompson

Applause filled the City Hall Council Chamber May 18, 2011, as Councillors voted unanimously to approve a revamped culture plan. Councillor Michael Thompson, Chair of the City’s Economic Development Committee, pictured, rose to thank Robert Foster, Karen Kain and Jim Prentice who co-chaired an advisory council of arts and business experts who worked with City staff to draft the report in record time.

"We believe that the recommendations and action plan it contains can help strengthen Toronto’s economy and enhance our competitive advantage on the world stage,” said Councillor Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre). “Culture is an economic catalyst we can and must maximize for the benefit of all our communities."


Celebrate 27 Arts Fest

Celebrate 27"Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits." - Article 27, UN Declaration of Human Rights

Celebrate 27 Arts Fest (C27) communicates and celebrates Article 27's assertion of the universal right of all to participate in the arts and cultural life of the community with a series of events across Toronto from April 1 to April 27, 2011. The festival features a range of signature and daily events. Learn more


City's first multimedia public artwork unveiled

WatertableAbout 100 contemporary art lovers turned out at a Gardiner Expressway underpass Wednesday evening (October 21, 2009) for the unveiling of the City of Toronto's first permanent multimedia art commission. Called Watertable, the work by acclaimed artists Lisa Steele and Kim Tomczak uses a massive LED light installation to simulate the gentle play of waves where the shore of Lake Ontario once met Fort York National Historic Site. An amplified recording of lapping waves accompanies the shifting light show. Learn more...


Coupland War of 1812 monument unveiled

City of Toronto Councillor Kyle Rae and Dennis Lee unveil the Glenn Gould Place sign during the dedication Artist Douglas Coupland presents maquettes of his public art installation "Monument to the War of 1812," to Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, developer Rony Hirsch (Malibu Investments) and Stephen Otto (The Friends of Fort York). Coupland's giant outdoor sculpture was unveiled in front of an enthusiastic crowd on November 3, 2008 at the northwest corner of Lake Shore Boulevard and Bathurst Street (600 Fleet Street). Learn More...


Glenn Gould Place


City of Toronto Councillor Kyle Rae and Dennis Lee unveil the Glenn Gould Place sign during the dedication


On September 25, 2007 Councillor Kyle Rae, Dennis Lee, poet and Founder of the Toronto Legacy Project, and a representative of the Gould Foundation dedicated a portion of Metro Square to Canadian music legend Glenn Gould. Read more about the dedication.


Charles Landry and The Art of City Making
Charles Landry, international authority on creative city building, delivered an engaging speech at Grano restaurant Sept. 12. Mr. Landry is the founder of COMEDIA, Europe's leading cultural planning consultancy, and his most recent book, The Art of City Making, provides insight on how culture can be fostered to revitalize a city.


My City My Art
Explore the beauty, character and diversity of the city's neighbourhoods through the eyes of Toronto children and youth.

My City My Art

My City My Art multi-media exhibit showcases works of art by these first-time artists, designers, photographers and poets.


Grounds for Art: public art competition
Grounds for art - public art competition

Winners Announced

Xin Xu
DeMuth Flake
Rene Zamic
Xin Xu
Sanitary
DeMuth Flake
Storm Sewer
Rene Zamic
Water Valve

The above designs will be used to create custom-made utility hole covers that will decorate the new streets of Regent Park. The winning designs were announced January 16, 2007 as part of a special exhibition of the 30 designs on the short list. To see all 30 designs click here.


Urban Landscapes: The View From Here

Urban LandscapesStudents of Brookview Middle School have officially launched Urban Landscapes: The View From Here, a digital photo exhibit of their own creation.

Digital images and poetry were used by the grade 7 and 8 students to reflect their own views and personal stories. The theme of their efforts was Urban Landscapes. The digital images and poetry have been published in a book which will create a legacy of work by the youth.  Click here for more information.


George FaludyGeorge Faludy Place

On October 3, 2006, the City of Toronto honoured George Faludy, one of Hungary's greatest poets and longtime resident of Toronto, at a ceremony to name a public space George Faludy Place.
Click here for details




TO Live With CultureTO Live With Culture
LiveWithCulture.ca is a legacy project from the 16-month celebration of Toronto's cultural renaissance that began in Fall 2005. Originally a cultural event listings portal, LiveWithCulture.ca was transformed into a blog about Torontonians living with culture in Fall 2009.


Children's CampsImagine, discover, create & laugh
Toronto Culture's historic sites offer several programs for kids and families during the Holiday Season, March Break and all summer long, Whether you're looking to drop the kids off for a pre-registered activity or want some casual family fun - there's something everyone. At our March Break and Summer Camps kids ages 5-12 will enjoy games, arts and crafts, science and early technology and more. Click here for details.


History of TorontoHistory of Toronto

Explore the city's history in-depth in our full length History of Toronto on-line exhibit. Also, find other cultural web exhibits. Click here

 

 
 

 

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