Improving Equity in the Distribution of City Cultural Funding - by Councillor Parthi Kandavel, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng

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The decision

2024-07-24 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on July 24 and 25, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to ensure that the needs of equity-deserving communities, youth and seniors, especially those outside the core and racialized youth and seniors facing barriers to cultural access and participation, are considered in strategies to achieve a more equitable distribution of cultural funding,

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and that the forthcoming Action Plan for Toronto's Culture Sector provide concrete steps on the allocation of resources in these important areas.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Communities outside the downtown core are rich with culture and creativity. However, many of the non-profit arts and cultural organizations working in Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York are struggling to secure their long-term sustainability - a crisis that is particularly felt by those organizations serving vulnerable youth and other equity-deserving communities. These organizations have struggled to regain their stability following the COVID-19 pandemic, with many facing cash flow challenges that threaten their survival.

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Action is needed now to ensure that cultural organizations outside the core have the resources they require to create opportunities for residents across Toronto to engage with culture, and for the next generation of cultural leaders to grow and thrive. Economic Development and Culture is currently developing a new 10-year Action Plan for Toronto's Culture Sector, which will be presented to City Council for consideration in fall 2024. Economic Development and Culture engaged over 3,600 residents in all corners of Toronto to inform the development of the plan. Consultation participants emphasized the need for a more equitable distribution of cultural funding across the city and spoke to the challenges facing new and emerging organizations in Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York. These organizations are funded at much lower levels than larger arts institutions, resulting in significant service gaps for equity-deserving communities, and leading to instability and uncertainty. The work of the Action Plan Advisory Panel, chaired by Councillor Carroll, is appreciated, especially in regards to its provisions for equitable distribution of funding. This motion is in support of the Economic Development and Culture's work, operating within the Action Plan's framework to ensure that underserved communities are incorporated into the plan as it is implemented in the coming years. This motion requests that the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, ensure that the needs of equity-deserving communities and racialized youth are considered as part of strategies to improve the equitable distribution of cultural grants, and that the Action Plan for Toronto's Culture Sector provide concrete steps on the allocation of resources in these important areas. Reason for Urgency: This motion is urgent as City staff are developing the Action Plan for Toronto's Culture Sector prior to the next meeting of City Council.

Staff recommended

Councillor Parthi Kandavel, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to ensure that the needs of equity-deserving communities and youth, especially those outside the core and racialized youth facing barriers to cultural access and participation, are considered in strategies to achieve a more equitable distribution of cultural funding,

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and that the forthcoming Action Plan for Toronto's Culture Sector provide concrete steps on the allocation of resources in these important areas.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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