Civic Tech Toronto (@civictechto) meetups bring together Torontonians across design, tech, data, policy, and community work. From designers and coders to planners, students, and organizers, folks come together to imagine a more responsive, sustainable, and equitable Toronto.
 
Last week, Toronto Arts Council welcomed 30+ folks in person and 20 online for the launch of Toronto Civic Tech, an energizing evening focused on data, advocacy, and collaboration.

Huge thanks to François Lebas for leading Data Advocacy with Maps: Making the Case for the Arts, and showing how geospatial data can help tell clearer, more compelling stories about artists, audiences, and impact as Toronto Arts launches its new strategic plan.

📅 Next session: Today | 7–9pm | Online & In person
Open Data Infrastructure for the Performing Arts led by Frédéric Julien

🔗Register here: https://guild.host/events/civic-hacknight-525-7t7pti (Link on bio!)

🎤 Frédéric has led research and development at the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts since 2010. His work focuses on arts data, belonging, and discoverability, and he currently leads the Artsdata.ca project.

This session will explore how Artsdata is improving discoverability across the performing arts, helping audiences more easily answer a simple but important question: What’s on this weekend?

On January 20, Kelly Hill from Strategic Insights on the Arts will discuss his experiences in mining public datasets for information about the cultural sector, including free datasets and custom data requests to Statistics Canada. 

Finally, on January 27, Robin Sokoloski, Director of Programs and Research at Mass Culture, will share insights on Data Narratives for the Arts (DNA) initiative.

Civic Tech Toronto is an all‑volunteer community group that hosts weekly events bringing together people interested in technology, data, and design for the public good. Events are free and open to the public with registration. In‑person participation is limited by space capacity, but there is no limit for those joining via Zoom. 

#ArtsData #TorontoArts #Analytics #ArtsResearch #ArtsOrganizations …

2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for arts in our city — a year rooted in access, growth, and connection. ✨🎨

This year, we continue to work toward increased public and private investment in Toronto’s vibrant creative landscape.

Here’s what we’re looking forward to in 2026:

🌱 Building for the future
Our Strategic Plan pushes us to champion increased investment in the arts — from both public and philanthropic partners.

🌳 Expanding arts programming in public parks
We’re excited to continue growing accessible, outdoor, community-driven arts experiences across Toronto’s parks. Because art should meet people where they are — right in their own neighbourhoods.

🎨 Investing in new initiatives
From youth programming to mentorship opportunities, we’ll continue supporting projects that amplify equity, cultivate creative talent, and bring the arts across the city.

🌆 Connecting communities through arts experiences
One of our main goals for 2026 is to increase the availability and diversity of arts experiences in all corners of the city.

📣 Advocating for a stronger arts budget
As the City enters budget season, we continue to advocate for increased municipal investment to meet the growing demand from artists, organizations, and communities.
 
👥 Creative Champions Network
We’re excited to kick off 2026 with new CCN sessions
• How Boards Can Effectively Engage in Strategic Planning (January 27)

🏆 Annual Mayor’s Arts Lunch — dates coming soon
Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto Arts Foundation take a moment to honour the hard work and accomplishments of Toronto’s talented artists and art leaders. Finalists will be announced in March!🎉

🎉 15 Years of @neighbourhoodarts
NAN is celebrating an incredible milestone next year.

🎓 The first @artworks.to: Newcomer cohort graduates
Our inaugural Newcomer cohort will complete their placements, projects, and mentorships.

🗳️ A municipal election
2026 will be a crucial year for arts advocacy as Toronto prepares for a fall election.

Together, we’re building a more vibrant, inclusive, and imaginative Toronto. Here’s to an inspiring year ahead. 💛✨

#TorontoArts #HappyNewYear #2026 …

Your 2025 Toronto Arts Wrapped is here 🎁

This year Toronto Arts Council:

✨ secured a major increase in public investment with $2M from the City ofToronto—vital support that strengthened our programs and provided more stablefunding for organizations across the city.

✨ responded to the highest demand in our history. Outside of 2020’s pandemic emergency funding, we received more grant applications this year than ever before.

✨ advanced research that strengthens our case for the arts, with compelling new data that reinforces how the arts drive belonging and empower communities.

At Toronto Arts Foundation, we:

🌿 celebrated Arts in the Parks most-attended season ever. More than 140,000 audience members took part in free, family-friendly performances and workshops inall corners of the city.

🌿 expanded support for newcomer and Indigenous artists, thanks to a generous $1-million grant through the TD Ready Challenge.

🌿 celebrated the Toronto Arts Awards, honouring artists and leaders who make extraordinary contributions to our city’s cultural life.
 
🌿 raised $1,056,199 at the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and (In) Bloom Gala with thanks to Mayor Olivia Chow (@mayoroliviachow), generous sponsors and donors, and every guest who joined us. 

Together as Toronto Arts, we: 

🤝 released our 2024 Annual Report, offering a detailed look at our collective impact and progress. 

🤝 introduced our new five-year strategic plan, a bold roadmap committing us to expanding access to the arts, investing in artists’ careers, and strengthening the creative infrastructure that supports our city. 

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of so many—thank you to Mayor Olivia Chow for her leadership; to Toronto City Council for continuing to champion the arts; to our partners, sponsors, donors, board members, and staff; to the artists and arts organizations who bring this city to life; and to the public whose enthusiasm and support fuel everything we do. 🎨🎭🎤

Our team is taking a well-deserved break to rest and refresh over the holidays, and our offices are closed until Monday, January 5. 

#TorontoArts #LookingBack #Wrapped #AllInForTheArts …