Extension of Contribution Agreements with Cultural Grant Recipients - by Councillor Michael Thompson, seconded by Councillor Gary Crawford

These contribution agreements provide the terms and conditions for the City contribution and use of City funds. They are intended to ensure public benefit, accountability and transparency for City grants. Grant amounts are not included in the contribution agreements and are determined annually by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture based on funds approved in the budget process and following the submission and review of a formal funding application, in accordance with the City of Toronto Grants Policy. In October 2019, City Council directed staff to discontinue the Major Cultural Organizations and Specialized Collections Museums grant programs, and replace them with a new competitive grant program to encourage greater equity outcomes (Item 2019.EC8.8). This work was put on hold following the outbreak of COVID-19, recognizing the need to provide stability to City-funded cultural organizations. Grant recipients have continued to apply to the City annually using modified guidelines from the Major Cultural Organizations and Specialized Collections Museums programs. Staff now intended to launch the new grant program - tentatively titled the "Cultural Access and Development Fund" - in 2023. The extension of the contribution agreements will cover the period until new program guidelines are presented to City Council for consideration.

Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto; for a term of one year from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.