Ontario Culture Days Festival Primer

Markham Arts Council Collaborative Art Project, Markham Culture Days 2022. Photo by Sarah Arfan.

Ontario Culture Days Festival Primer

March 16, 2023

The Ontario Culture Days Festival is a yearly celebration of arts and culture that takes place from September 22 to October 15, 2023. Individuals, groups, and organizations can showcase their creativity and connect with their communities through various events across the province – and across the country!

Weekend for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Sault Ste. Marie Culture Days 2022. Photo by Kyrstiana Bourdage.

Benefits

As an event organizer, here’s how you can benefit from registering your event:

Connect with visitors and show off your awesome community-engaged events
Increase your organization’s visibility and reach a wider audience with your inclusive arts and cultural experiences
Produce accessible activities that are either free or pay-what-you-may
Contribute to the growth and development of arts and culture in your region
Network and collaborate with other groups and organizations
Reap the rewards of festival marketing campaigns and resources for your event

How to Get Involved

Participating in the Festival is easy and fun. Start by thinking about what kind of event you’ll produce. You don’t have to start from scratch! Here are some ideas:

Check if your current programming already meets the Festival criteria
Expand your existing offerings
Partner with other cultural organizations to create collaborative events. For example, a museum could collaborate with a local artist group to create a public art installation that ties in with a collection or theme
Share your online digital recordings and learning resources
Create new experiences that engage the public in unexpected ways

‘Migration in Print’ Project Monotype Workshop with Beth Shepherd, Ottawa-Gatineau Printmakers Connective, Ottawa Culture Days 2022. Photo by Kyrstiana Bourdage.

Festival organizers can offer a diverse range of events, including:

Visual arts exhibitions and interactive activities that will take your breath away.
Music, dance, and theatre performances that will get your heart racing.
Film screenings and talks that will transport you to another world.
Workshops and learning opportunities that will broaden your horizons.
Heritage walks and tours that will take you on a journey through time.
Community and cultural sharing events that will warm your heart and connect you to others.
And so much more! For more inspiration, check out the Spotlight Recognition Program.

Event Criteria and Registration Process

Ontario Culture Days Festival events must:

Have an arts and culture component.
Encourage participation and engagement.
Be either free or have a pay-what-you-may option.
Be registered through the Festival’s registration system via our Culture Days National affiliate. Registration opens in the Spring
Be located in Ontario.
Take place on at least one (or all!) of the Festival dates.
September 30, 2023 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is reserved for events that commemorate this day and honour Indigenous experiences, perspectives, and creative and cultural expressions.

Theatre on the Ridge Pop-up at the Scugog Hub, Ontario Culture Days Festival 2022. Photo by Barry McCluskey.

Follow these steps for a successful Festival event:

Plan your event and make sure it fits the Festival criteria.
Register your event as early as possible, providing details such as date, time, location, and description. Registration begins in the Spring.
Check to see if there is a Festival Hub in your region. Hubs are local partners that act as community leads for the festival.
Promote your event using social media, email, and other marketing tools.
Before the Festival, make sure your event is accessible and has clear signage.
On the day of the Festival, focus on making sure your event runs smoothly and attendees are engaged and have a positive experience.
Take photos to document and share on your social channels.
Track attendance and gather feedback from participants to measure success and make improvements for future Festivals.
Celebrate your achievements and share your experiences with others.