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Toronto introduces new cultural festivals funding program for the summer

A crowd of people in various colourful costumes on a street
Among the cultural festivals under review is Toronto's Caribana. The popular festival is hoping to make a full return in 2022. Photo courtesy of Toronto Caribana's website.
Daniel Centeno - CJRU - Toronto • ON | 11-01-2022
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Looking ahead to Toronto’s spring and summer months this year, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced that the city has opened applications for a cultural festivals funding program.

According to a recent press release, the program is aimed towards increasing accessibility, accountability and transparency of the city funding these festivals.

Tory said the city hopes the festivals can return safely this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as they play a significant role in the vibrancy, liveability and prosperity of Toronto.

“There have been growing requests from more recently established festivals to access the same city supports and funding, including festival producers from outside the city core and from diverse cultural communities," Tory said in a recent press conference. "This program is accessible and transparent and will help drive the economic and social recovery of the City from the pandemic as we look ahead with optimism to summer festivals. I invite eligible applicants to review CFFP guidelines and apply.”

Further, the proposal for this funding program was mentioned by Toronto Centre city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam in an interview with CJRU in December. Councillor Tam also mentioned that she hoped to see vibrancy and foot traffic return to the downtown core when it is safe to do so.

Like Tory, Tam hopes the return of some of Toronto’s scheduled festivals can help with economy recovery. As residents continue to get vaccinated, Tam hopes these events can be set up safely in spring and summer 2022.

To prepare, Tory said the application process is open until Feb. 11, with organizations being notified by March of whether their application was successful. This is to maintain certainty for all involved groups and individuals, according to Tory.

Deputy mayor and Scarborough Centre city councillor Michael Thompson also commented on the new program.

“Cultural festivals are essential to the spirit of our multicultural city," said Thompson. "Providing opportunities for newly established festivals to access the same funding as established events recognizes the importance of such festivals to a rich and dynamic cultural scene. I urge you to review our Cultural Festival Funding Program guidelines to see if your festival is eligible for financial support.”
The funding program will continue to adhere and follow Toronto Public Health’s guidelines and will provide updates with more information prior to May.

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