History Established in 1974, Toronto Arts Council was created to give the City a role in enhancing the quality of life in Toronto through the arts. We’ve moved forward with our mandate, providing support for artists – and the city – to thrive. For over 50 years, Toronto Arts Council has been a vital institution key to driving the social, cultural and economic health of Toronto. With support from the City of Toronto, TAC’s investments and leadership have inspired cultural and community activity in all corners of the city. The arts council model, including its arms-length agreement with the City and peer-review funding decision making, ensures TAC and its processes are truly representative of community needs. With an emphasis on equity, access and advocacy, TAC remains committed to serving Toronto’s artists and arts organizations with transparency and integrity. A brief timeline 1974: TAC is launched with a total budget of $315,000; distributes grants to 14 organizations. 1975-1985: TAC provides first funding to integral Toronto cultural organizations, including Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Craft Ontario, Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), Tafelmusik, Harbourfront’s International Festival of Authors, Mercer Union, Native Earth Performing Arts, and many more. 1985-1995: Among a growing space crisis, TAC founds Artscape. More granting programs are introduced, including grants to individuals. Seminal funds are given to authors Anne Collins, Moyez G. Vassanji, Anne Michaels, playwright Djanet Sears and composer Chan Ka Nin. TAC grants help start-up organizations Canadian Stage, The Power Plant, Toronto Fringe Festival, Inside Out, Word on the Street, Native Women in the Arts and many more. 1995: TAC establishes Toronto Arts Foundation to complement public funding with private-sector supported programs. 1998: Toronto City Council unanimously agrees to make Toronto Arts Council the arts funding body for the new, amalgamated city. 1999-2009: More seed funding is provided to help establish esteemed organizations Soulpepper, ArtReach, Manifesto Community Projects as well as Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network. 2014: New programs are introduced to increase access to the arts, including an innovative new Open Door program, giving space for arts leaders to realize their big ideas and initiatives, sparking the development of Mass Culture, Obsidian Theatre’s 21 Black Futures and more. 2015- 2024: New emphasis is placed on increasing impact through strategic partnerships. A formalized commitment to access and equity strengthens TAC as a leader in arts granting in North America and beyond. 2024: TAC celebrates its 50th anniversary with its Believe in Art campaign. New, exciting changes are on the horizon for both TAC and Toronto Arts Foundation as the organizations enter a new era of cultural growth and care. in 2024 we celebrated 50 years of impact In 2024, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary, launching a ‘Believe in Art’ campaign to highlight the significance of art to peoples’ lives and to a caring, vibrant city. To celebrate this important milestone, we hosted a public event and spotlighted stories and people to show the evolution of Toronto’s arts sector over the years and TAC’s role in supporting our creative city. We also looked ahead to 50 more years of cultural growth and care. At the core of our work is our belief in the power of the arts to transform, move, inspire and so much more. “The arts are essential to the growth, identity and prosperity of Toronto. Looking back at what the arts have contributed to Toronto over the past 50 years, we can clearly see what is possible when we collectively believe and invest in our creative potential. Together, we are going to keep on believing in the power of the arts for the next 50 years.”Kelly Langgard, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation, in celebration of TAC’s 50th anniversary Our believe in art statement Kelly Langgard speaks about our believe in art campaign “Imagine a world without creativity. Imagine a world where there are no novels to read, no music, no literature, poems or theatre; This is what Toronto Arts Council has done for us all these years. Yet there’s a lot more work to do…What makes us connect with each other, what makes us feel like we belong in this beautiful city of ours is art. Art is the glue that brings all of us together.”Toronto Mayor Oliva Chow, at Toronto Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2024 Highlights from our 50th anniversary event