Arts and Culture as Democratic Engagement: Experiences from Calgary and Toronto - Stream C

This panel will present and explore the impact of recent arts and culture-led citizen engagement initiatives in two cities: Calgary and Toronto. Panelists will discuss the Citizen Assembly model that Calgary Arts Development Authority, working with Mass LBP, used to develop and implement their city-wide strategy Living a Creative Life from 2021-24, as well as the recent citizen engagement work of over 4,000 Torontonians that led to Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035), developed by the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Department and Monumental Projects.