Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamilton Arts Council are bringing Hamilton’s arts and culture community into the conversation ahead of the municipal election with The Big Picture: Hamilton Arts and Culture Forum and Councillor Candidate Debate, hosted by the Cotton Factory.
The non-partisan forum will highlight the significant role arts and culture play in Hamilton’s economy and quality of life. The sector generates an estimated $1.29 billion in annual GDP and supports 15,648 jobs (Nordicity 2025), while contributing to vibrant neighbourhoods, community connection, education, tourism and Hamilton’s identity. The forum is a public event bringing residents, councillor candidates and arts organizations together.
“This forum will raise the profile of arts, culture, and entertainment as a municipal priority, in recognition of the role these sectors play in driving economic vitality, fostering community wellbeing and social cohesion, and supporting Hamilton’s reputation as a place to live and thrive,” says David Hudson, Executive Director of Hamilton Arts Council.
All Councillor candidates received a questionnaire with the same four questions regarding the Arts and Culture sector in Hamilton:
- In your view, how essential is arts and culture to Hamilton’s economic vitality and to the wellbeing and social cohesion of its communities, and how would that view shape your priorities on Council?
- Will you commit to reviewing and strengthening the City Enrichment Fund during your term? What actions would you take?
- How would you ensure Hamilton’s artists and arts organizations retain affordable, accessible access to cultural space, including space the City itself owns as downtown development continues?
- How would you engage with the artists and arts and culture organizations in your own ward, as well as the broader sector convening through the *Hamilton Arts and Culture Collective, over your term?
Their answers will be published in Hamilton City Magazine and discussed during the live debate. Given the number of Councillor candidates across Hamilton’s wards, it is not feasible to include everyone in the live forum. To ensure a fair and non-partisan process, a lottery may be implemented to support equal representation from across all wards.
“This forum provides candidates with an opportunity to share their perspectives on the City’s role in supporting arts and culture, and it creates an opportunity to begin a constructive dialogue about the opportunities and challenges facing our sector. We hope the conversation will encourage collaboration between elected representatives and the arts community and provide a foundation for ongoing partnership in support of a vibrant, sustainable arts and culture sector in Hamilton,” says Hamiton Phil Executive Director, Kim Varian.
The debate will be moderated by Alex Muggah, Director of Synapse Life Science Consortium & VP Life Sciences; and Jeff Goodes, Science Faculty journalist-in-residence at McMaster University and former CBC reporter. There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience. Event space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Big Picture: Hamilton Arts and Culture Forum
Councillor Candidate Debate
WHEN: Monday, September 28, 7-9pm
WHERE: The Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Ave N.
CO-HOSTED BY: Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamilton Arts Council
About the Hamilton Phil: For more than 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has been a pillar of our city’s arts and culture scene with a mission to connect our community through inspiring orchestral music and engaging experiences. Hamilton Phil presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the Hamilton Phil has proudly contributed to shaping Hamilton’s cultural landscape.
About Hamilton Arts Council: Founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1973, Hamilton Arts Council (HAC) is a not-for-profit, registered charitable arts service organization, and one of Ontario’s longest-serving community arts councils. HAC serves artists, arts organizations, and arts audiences across the Greater Hamilton Area, including Six Nations of the Grand River. Guided by its mandate, Connecting Artists, Creating Opportunity, Inspiring Change, HAC works to extend the professional capacity of artists and arts organizations, improve access to creative programming, and advocate for arts and culture as essential civic and economic infrastructure. HAC coordinates the Hamilton Arts & Culture Collective, the region’s primary structured channel between the arts and culture sector and City government.
*About Hamilton Arts and Culture Collective: The Hamilton Arts and Culture Collective (HACC) includes Hamilton-based charitable arts organizations and arts-supporting organizations that individually provide programming and/or resources to support Hamilton’s arts and cultural sector. HACC meets monthly at locations across the city to share knowledge and develop a collaborative and communal resource base, strengthening our network to advance our individual impact across the communities we serve.
Hamilton Phil Media Contacts:
Kyla Lacroix Bardsley
Event Planning Liason
klacroix@hpo.org