Authority to Enter into a Multi-Year Agreement with Toronto Arts Council (2025-2029)

The City and Toronto Arts Council have worked collaboratively to develop terms for the new multi-year agreement. The proposed terms for the agreement, outlined in this report, including enhanced reporting requirements, focusing on outcomes-based results for Toronto residents; an improved process to request funding from the City in alignment with corporate budget process requirements; and a commitment to developing a new collaborative framework to articulate how the City and Toronto Arts Council will work together to achieve shared priorities for funding and cultural sector development, including the implementation of "Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035)". This report also submits a copy of the Toronto Arts Council's annual report for 2023 to the Economic and Community Development Committee, which is required as part of the current multi-year agreement. The annual report highlights the Toronto Arts Council's activities that include awarding 911 grants across each of the City's 25 wards, and creating opportunities for residents to engage with arts and culture, and for artists and arts organizations to share their work with the community.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to develop a collaborative framework with the Toronto Arts Council to articulate how the City and Toronto Arts Council will work together on shared funding and sector development priorities, and report to the Economic and Community Development Committee with a recommended framework by the end of 2025.