Advancing our Creative Industries
New partnership will transform Vaughan into a destination for arts and culture
VAUGHAN, ON (June 28, 2023) – Earlier this week, during a special signing ceremony, the City of Vaughan, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (McMichael) and the Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance the city’s arts, culture and creative industries and bring a new Creative Industries Centre of Excellence to life.
The City, in collaboration with two of Vaughan’s leading cultural experiences – the nationally significant McMichael and the well-established VFF – will work to develop Vaughan as a launchpad for creative industries, talent and Canadian art. Through this signed MOU, the City has committed to supporting creative businesses and organizations, raising the profile of Vaughan’s arts and cultural scene, and amplifying the cultural, social and tourism-related benefits of this unique partnership.
Leveraging the McMichael’s international profile and planned future growth, VFF’s film industry event and talent development programming, and the City’s economic and workforce development resources, this partnership aims to attract talent, provide training, offer educational and exhibition opportunities, and establish spaces that support artists and creative entrepreneurs. The envisioned Creative Industries Centre of Excellence will include new exhibition, education, event, studio and theatre spaces to offer Vaughan’s creative community – including VFF – a place for cultural programming, events and experiences to thrive.
As a key emerging sector in Vaughan and one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, creative industries create employment and income opportunities, promote innovation and contribute to community well-being.
For more, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
QUOTES
“In Vaughan, we are so fortunate to have a vibrant creative industry that includes the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and the Vaughan International Film Festival. The McMichael is an iconic institution that reflects our identity as a nation, and the Vaughan International Film Festival has brought the international film festival experience to our city. Our partnership will advance Vaughan as a launchpad for creative industries, talent and Canadian art and spur the growth of our creative economy. It will attract talent, create training, educational and exhibition opportunities and build spaces that support the pursuits of artists and creative entrepreneurs in our city. Art and cultural expression enrich our lives and foster a more inclusive and vibrant society for everyone, and we must continue to offer local talent opportunities to thrive and develop their skills close to home.”
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
“This unique collaboration will leverage the success of two outstanding creative and cultural powerhouses in our city, and give Vaughan’s creative and cultural industries a well-deserved boost. Combining the cultural destination of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the film industry event and talent development programming of the VFF, and the City’s economic and workforce development resources will create a launchpad for artists and creative entrepreneurs in Vaughan.”
- Raphael Costa, Director, Economic Development
“The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is proud to play a central role as one of Vaughan’s Creative Industries Centres of Excellence. As home to the art of Canada – with a uniquely meaningful mandate – we are the leading gallery in the country for Canadian art. Through this partnership and our future plans, we hope to make Vaughan a vital cultural destination for all.”
- Ian Dejardin, Executive Director, McMichael Canadian Art Collection
“The Vaughan International Film Festival has been proud to support the local filmmaking community for more than a decade. Providing training and opportunities to illuminate the creative spirit in all of us through the power of short film has been the driving force behind our educational efforts. This partnership will allow us to expand our events, professionally-led industry programming and film attraction initiative to reach greater audiences and raise the profile of Vaughan as a destination for film production.”
- Antonio Ienco, Co-Founder and Chair, Vaughan International Film Festival
QUICK FACTS
- The Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Vaughan, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and the Vaughan International Film Festival was approved by Vaughan Council at the March 21, 2023 Council meeting.
- The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a nationally significant, globally recognized cultural institution and the foremost cultural anchor in the city of Vaughan.
- The Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the independent film industry and creating opportunities for audiences to experience Canadian and international short films.
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ABOUT VAUGHAN: The City of Vaughan is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities with a population of more than 344,412. Incorporated in 1991, Vaughan includes the communities of Concord, Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge. This culturally diverse municipality is located in the heart of York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
MEDIA CONTACT: Erynn Sally, Corporate and Strategic Communications C. 416-903-1933 E. erynn.sally@vaughan.ca