Item - 2021.EC25.2

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the establishment of the Cultural Festivals Funding Program, substantially in accordance with the City of Toronto Cultural Festivals Grant Program Guidelines in Attachment 3 to the report (October 6, 2021) from the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, with implementation commencing in 2022.

The purpose of this report is to recommend the program objectives, guidelines and impact framework for a new Cultural Festivals Funding Program to support and increase the accountability and transparency of City funding to cultural festivals. The City of Toronto has long provided operating support to major, City-wide cultural festivals, but there is a growing need to also support a newer generation of festival producers from a wider geographic area, and from more recently established communities. These festivals provide residents and visitors with opportunities to engage with our shared cultural and artistic expression of Toronto's diverse community.

The proposed program has been developed in consultation with stakeholders and communities seeking City support. The proposed program meets Economic Development and Culture's commitment to grant reform; to increasing access by diverse cultural communities; to increasing support for activities outside the downtown core, and is part of the Division's overall development of a festival and events strategy for cultural, social and economic development.

A stakeholder engagement summary report outlining the consultations undertaken to develop the program is attached as Attachment 1. A comparative research report informing program design is included as Attachment 2, and recommended program guidelines are included as Attachment 3.