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Burlington, Ont.—May 26, 2025— The City of Burlington is developing a new Culture Plan to guide the next decade (2026–2036) of arts and culture growth. This plan will help shape the future of Burlington’s arts and culture programs, services and investments. The Culture Plan will contribute to a future that is vibrant, inclusive and rooted in Burlington’s community.
The City is inviting residents and artists to get involved in the creation of its new Culture Plan.
Public Engagement
The City will be offering many ways for residents and the Arts and Culture community to share their ideas for Burlington’s arts and culture future. Over the next six months, staff will be connecting with residents, artists, cultural professionals, organizations and communities across Burlington.
Opportunities to get involved
Online Survey
Residents are encouraged to fill out a short survey at getinvolvedburlington.ca/cultureplan. It will be open until Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
Culture Jam Workshops
Arts and Culture professionals and organizations are invited to join staff for a half-day, in-person session that is designed to bring together Burlington’s core arts and culture community—including artists, makers, cultural organizations, museums, special interest and community groups, and festival organizers. Culture Jams will feature food, storytelling, art breaks and community-building activities. Participants will explore shared hopes, needs and concerns needed to build a vibrant and inclusive arts and culture scene in Burlington.
Virtual Session - Zoom
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
1 to 2:30 p.m.
In-person sessions - Art Gallery of Burlington
1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
6 to 8:30 p.m.
or
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
RSVP to participate in a Culture Jam Workshop
Event booths and pop-up
Over the summer, staff will be visiting busy parks, festivals and events to hear directly from residents. There will also be self-directed activities in public spaces such as libraries and community centres.
Residents can subscribe for updates at getinvolvedburlington.ca/cultureplan to get updates as information is added to the page.
Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
Quote
Jacqueline Johnson, Commissioner of Community Services
“This is a significant opportunity for residents to help shape our City’s arts and culture plan for the next 10 years. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with local partners, councils, arts and cultural professionals and emerging artists to build out a plan that will guide Burlington’s arts and cultural future.
During the next six months, the Arts & Culture Team will be looking to hear from you, whether you’ve been involved as an artist, as part of an organization or community or if you’ve never been involved and want to share your thoughts. I encourage everyone to take the quick survey, look for the team at events this summer and participate in the self-directed activities at our partners’ locations.
We need to hear from you so we can create a plan that is truly a shared vision for Burlington’s arts future.”
Quick Facts
The Culture Plan (2026 – 36) will:
- Create a shared vision for arts and culture in Burlington.
- Conduct a thorough review of current arts and culture programs and services to identify gaps, opportunities, and duplications.
- Align the work of existing City strategic plans and the Culture Boards and ensure that arts and culture programs evolve with Burlington’s population growth and changing community needs.
- Support arts and culture contributions to the local economy through employment, tourism and cultural spending.
Project Timeline
- Project Launch - May 26, 2025
- Public engagement - May through August, 2025
- Draft recommendations and community meeting, September to November, 2025
- Final Culture Plan and Staff Report to Council, Spring 2026
Project Scope
The City of Burlington new Culture Plan (2026–2036) will look at a broad range of programs and services offered by the City and its Culture Boards and partners. The project scope will include:
- Culture Boards – the Art Gallery of Burlington, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Public Libraries, Burlington Tourism/Economic Development and the Museums of Burlington
- Burlington Student Theatre
- Bands & Music programs such as the Burlington Teen Tour Band, Concerts in the Park and music lessons
- Festivals & Events including City direct delivered like Canada Day and externally delivered events such as the Sound of Music Festival and Ribfest
- Arts & Culture programs such public art, arts and culture grants and arts-related recreational programming
Links and Resources
getinvolvedburlington.ca/cultureplan
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Media contact:
City of Burlington Corporate Communications
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