Londoners have expressed that they want London to be a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible community. They believe that the City of London should be a leader in standing up against hate and intolerance by ensuring all Londoners have opportunities for full participation in accessible community programs without experiencing barriers.
As our community acknowledges our commitment to Indigenous peoples in London and surrounding First Nations and recognizes the growing populations of diverse communities, we must provide adequate support to preserve and promote diverse expressions through arts and culture that contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible community.
Therefore, business case #P-8 proposes the following to effectively address the City’s Strategic Plan Outcomes 1 and 2 under Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion while also supporting Outcome 3 under Economic Growth, Culture, and Prosperity: Expansion of Existing Programs (2024-2027) Artist in Residence – Proposed to serve 12 additional culturally and artistically diverse artists.
(Total annual amount by 2027: $90,000)
The expanded program will offer new categories to effectively highlight the London UNESCO City of Music designation Action Plan (Focus Area: Inclusive Communities) and UCCN membership by supporting London’s arts/culture sector development and international collaboration through arts/culture through enriched professional development, creation, and presentation opportunities.
London Arts Live – Proposed to provide over 1,200 additional diverse arts activations and artistic opportunities throughout London.
(Total annual amount by 2027: $157,500)
The expanded program will directly support the growth of diverse local artistic and musical talent and address growing community demands for diverse art activations. A new program component, ‘The Gallery’, will provide much-needed professional art exhibition/sales opportunities in highly visible spaces in London (e.g., RBC Place London) to promote London's diverse artists/creators and support them with income.
Addition of New Programs (2024-2027)
Cultivating Allyship through the Arts – Proposed to support over 50 new projects. This program will provide eligible artists/creators in the following streams with relational grant opportunities through specialized assistance and support.
Indigenous Arts Stream:
This stream will provide micro and major grants for research/creation/presentation for Indigenous artists/creators in London and the surrounding three First Nations as they continue to practice art forms and create art works.
This stream will increase provincial and federal fund-leveraging opportunities for Indigenous artists/creators.
Diverse Expressions of Arts Stream: This stream will provide micro and major grants for research/creation/presentation for diverse artists/creators from equity-denied communities as they continue to practice art forms and create artworks. This stream will increase provincial and federal fund-leveraging opportunities for diverse artists/creators from equity-denied communities.
Youth Art Incubation – Proposed to support 25 youth members This program will provide paid art internship and mentorship opportunities for students in secondary/post-secondary schools to explore and engage with the local arts sector while developing their expertise through professional learning experiences. (Total annual amount by 2027: $67,500)
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