Culture, History & Art
Enriching peoples' lives through arts, heritage and culture
Kingston is recognized as a community rich in arts, heritage and culture that benefit residents and make the city an attractive place for people to visit.
City-run facilities and programs, combined with Council approved policies and strategies, aim to nurture, sustain and preserve the diversity of cultural elements that enrich the life of the city.
The Arts and Culture Services and Heritage Services departments are a part of the City’s Business, Environment and Projects division and functions as a municipal cultural development agency that supports cultural vitality in the community. The work of the department was established through the City’s first-ever Kingston Culture Plan (2010) and continues to evolve in response to Council Strategic priorities and in response to community needs.
Over the last decade, significant work has been done to complete the recommendations identified in the Kingston Culture Plan and new key directions have emerged that inform the work today across four core service areas: asset management, programming, sector development and cultural development.
Funding
- City of Kingston Arts Fund: This program has been maintained and continues to provide critical Operating and Project grants to arts organizations and collectives. In 2021, the overall funding envelope has been reduced by 5% but Kingston City Council approved that an additional $200,000 be invested to create two new, one-time funding programs that include Resiliency Grants and Adapt Grants.
- City of Kingston Heritage Fund: This program remains in place and provides annual Operating and Project grants. In 2021, the overall funding envelope has been reduced by 5% but an additional $64,181.40 is also available as a result of unallocated funds in 2020.
Strategies
Creative Industries: This is a new initiative developed by the City of Kingston in partnership with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation that will ensure the creative industries in Kingston are better supported and that they can expand in ways that benefit both creatives and the community.
The City has also been continuing to work with partner organizations to support the cultural and creative sectors and more information can be found by visiting their websites.
- Kingston Arts Council
- Kingston Association of Museums, Arts Galleries and Historic Sites
- Kingston Theatre Alliance
- Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
Explore these pages
- Arts programs and initiatives, including Public Art, Poet Laureate, City of Kingston Arts Fund, Mayor’s Arts Awards, Grand Theatre and the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning.
- Arts and culture-related opportunities, including funding, learning, and volunteering.
- History, including assets and histories natural, tangible and intangible cultural heritage as well as heritage preservation.
- Events, both City-run or presented by community partners.
- Colin’s Culture Blog
Stay up to date on cultural news by subscribing to these e-Newsletters:
- City News Releases
- Public Art
- Indigenous Initiatives
For additional information, sign up for news related to the City-owned museums and cultural spaces: