In this session we considered the crucial role of municipal leadership in advocating for the arts and shaping cultural policy in Canadian cities. This webinar brought together cultural champions that discussed the current state of their cities’ cultural sectors, pandemic recovery and priorities within their communities.

The speakers also considered the importance of partnerships and intergovernmental cooperation in designing effective cultural policies and programs. They explored strategies that arts organizations can use to advocate for their interests and collaborate with municipalities to shape cultural policy.

Moderated by:

• Mary Rowe, President and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute

Speakers included: 

• Julien Valmary, Support and Philanthropy Director, Conseil des arts de Montréal
• Patti Pon, President & CEO, Calgary Arts Development
• Pat Tobin, General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto

Additional Resources:

• Strengthening the Status of the Artist in Canada, House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
• List of recommendations from the Committee report
• Bringing power to truth: A call to catalyze artists as agents of systems change by Patti Pon, the Philanthropist Journal
• Advocacy Toolkit: Making the case for your museum, BC Museums Association

Speaker Series brought to you by: