Supporting the Arts is Vital to Brampton’s Success

Arts plays a vital role in the life of cities. Brampton is blessed with a vibrant and diverse arts community. A strong and flourishing arts scene attracts interest from surrounding communities and brings people into Brampton. It is both a cultural and economic driver.

I want to support and encourage the wide variety of art we have in Brampton from traditional to experimental to ethnic. There is room for all to grow in Brampton.

In supporting the arts in Brampton, I am committed to the following:

Re-establishing the Brampton Arts Council
Members on the new Arts Council should be individuals from the creative industry who are equipped to network and foster ideas that will grow our arts and culture scene and help realize the visions set forth in the City of Brampton’s Arts & Culture Master Plan.

This Council will be a resource for artists to access space, advocate for artists’ rights, to help secure funding, resources and grants for projects.

This council will function like an entrepreneurial centre and incubator for people in the creative industry.

Ensure the new Brampton Arts Council is structured to help Brampton’s emerging creatives to build sustainable careers and businesses.
Working with the City of Brampton’s Film Services Office, Special Events, Culture department and the new Arts Council, Brampton will become a bigger supplier to the creative industry and as a result create jobs for our local artists, small businesses, entrepreneurs who can supply the creative industry.
Uphold the current $1.1 million allocated through the June council motion for the Arts and Culture Plan and set a goal of allocating 1% of City Budget to the Arts by the end of the new term – 2022.

Ensuring that the new Central Library incorporates space for the arts.
Emerging artists need affordable space to realize their visions and to grow their talent. I’m committed to making our new Central Library a hub that artists can utilize.

Declaring August Arts Month in Brampton that will showcase and promote the diversity of talent in our city.
We have arts and culture groups from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This needs to be celebrated more. We have many groups, but right now they seem isolated and scattered around our City. We need to increase the interaction between them and having an Arts Month can help showcase the different groups while fostering more networking and collaboration between the different groups.

Fast-track implementation of the make arts and culture master plan to make it a viable economic driver in Brampton.
Arts and culture are strong contributors to the economic development of cities. So far, Brampton has struggled to realize its full potential in this area. With the help of the new Arts Council, we will work to invite ideas and create new, exciting initiatives to boost our economic development through the arts, as envisioned by our Arts and Culture Master Plan.

Increase collaboration with local businesses and arts community to boost the City’s economy, while giving artists the opportunity to grow and showcase their work.

Take full advantage of federal and provincial grants that can help arts and culture initiatives in Brampton.
I have attended many arts programs in Brampton as Mayor and I marvel at the quality and talent that is in our community. We need to encourage and support a vital part of our city’s fabric.