Item - 2017.ED24.7

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council approve the establishment of the Grants to Specialized Collections Museums program substantially in accordance with the guidelines outlined in Appendix A to the report (September 28, 2017) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, with implementation commencing in 2018.

The purpose of this report is to recommend the establishment of the Grants to Specialized Collections Museums program to increase the accountability and transparency of City funding to professional museums. The City of Toronto currently provides annual, direct operating funding to the Design Exchange (DX), Gardiner Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (MOCA Toronto) as line items in the EDC operating budget. These institutions provide residents with opportunities to engage with our shared heritage through their unique collections and programming. To date, City support for these institutions has been based upon the museums' ability to foster public participation and community development, and engage audiences through accessible programs, outreach, and educational activities. Establishing a formal grant program for these museums will ensure that City funding complies with the Community Grants Policy, and that the recipients are assessed against a set of criteria which will ensure public benefit.

As of 2018, pending City Council approval, the Grants to Specialized Collections Museums program will provide operating funding for Toronto's museums that demonstrate a level of professional museum standards, sound financial and collections management, and public benefit. Stakeholders were consulted throughout the development of the program. The program guidelines are attached as Appendix A.