City Council Commits to Stronger Support for Arts and Culture Through New Steering Committee

During its meeting this week, Mississauga City Council committed to a deeper investment and focus on the city’s arts and culture community through the creation of a new steering committee.

The steering committee will work in conjunction with Culture Division staff and members of the arts and culture community; focusing on the new Culture Master Plan which is scheduled for completion mid-next year. Terms of Reference for the steering committee are expected to come before Council in the coming weeks.

“The Arts, Culture and Heritage Steering Committee will help us champion the arts community and identify additional culture opportunities in Mississauga,” said Paul Damaso, Director, Culture Division. “We are focussed on enhancing culture in the city and look forward to the valuable input of this new group as we build our new Culture Master Plan.”

According to Damaso, the steering committee will help to rally the efforts of Council, staff and stakeholders. Input and direction from the committee will focus our actions and ideas to grow Mississauga’s arts scene and make us a globally recognized cultural City.

Council also demonstrated their commitment to culture in the city by approving changes to the City’s grant programs which included an alignment of both the Culture and Recreation Division grant programs.

The alignment of the grant programs resulted in 16 recommendations which have been divided into four goal areas: diversifying cultural offerings; improving quality; growing accessibility and supporting alternate service delivery.

“The City is committed to improving the diversity, quality and accessibility of all our cultural offerings,” added Damaso. “Our focus continues to be providing the residents of and visitors to Mississauga with a superior cultural experience.”