Toronto’s arts sector is navigating rising costs, shrinking space, and fragile funding. Toronto Arts leadership explains why belief must show up as investment, mentorship, and long-term stability.

In this episode of Makers & Shakers, I sit down with Kelly Langgard, Director and CEO of both the Toronto Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Foundation, to discuss how arts funding shapes a city's life.

From last year's 50th anniversary theme “Believe in Art” to the realities of rising rents, reduced sponsorships, and shrinking space for artists, Langgard offers a candid look at what it takes to sustain a creative ecosystem in one of North America’s most expensive urban centres. The conversation moves beyond abstract advocacy to explore practical mechanisms like paid mentorship, operating support for Black-led organizations, and the role of public-private partnerships in preserving artistic freedom.

This episode also reframes culture as infrastructure, essential to Toronto’s social cohesion, economic health, and global identity as one of the world’s most multicultural cities.

Conversation highlights

This conversation reflects a transition moment for Toronto’s arts ecosystem. Artists and organizations are navigating structural pressure, yet demand for creative expression, connection, and cultural meaning has never been higher. Against that backdrop, Langgard outlines how Toronto Arts is responding with long-term thinking rather than short-term fixes.

Key highlights include:

• How the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation operate as two distinct but complementary organizations
• Why the 50th anniversary theme “Believe in Art” reflects five decades of measurable city-building
• The ongoing impact of rising rents, operating costs, and declining sponsorship across Canada’s arts sector
• Why strong public investment encourages private funding and protects creative risk-taking
• How paid mentorship functions as a workforce and leadership pipeline in the arts
• The purpose and design of the Black Arts Annual Operating Program
• Why operating support matters more than short-term project funding for sustainability
• How arts funding drives economic activity, tourism, and neighbourhood vitality
• What the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts represents beyond fundraising
• Why advocacy must frame arts funding as investment, not subsidy

Topics covered in this episode

• Toronto Arts Council vs Toronto Arts Foundation
• Public funding and private philanthropy models
• “Believe in Art” and cultural legacy
• Arts and culture during economic uncertainty
• Culture as infrastructure
• Paid mentorship and equity in the arts
• Black Arts Annual Operating support
• Long-term sustainability for Black-led organizations
• Arts as an economic engine
• Cultural tourism and main-street impact
• Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and (In) Bloom Gala
• Arts advocacy and public policy

Selected quotes and timestamps

On belief and long-term investment

“It really started from that initial place of believing that our art sector in Toronto could grow if it was properly resourced.” (00:07:48 – 00:07:56)

On the current pressures facing artists

“It’s hard to make a living. Costs are going up for everyone, and space for artists has become extremely expensive.” (00:08:29 – 00:09:04)

On public and private funding working together

“When governments invest in the arts, the private sector follows.” (00:13:04 – 00:13:20)

On why mentorship must be paid

“We want to acknowledge that it’s a legitimate form of work.” (00:18:16 – 00:18:25)

On the importance of operating support for Black organizations

“Operating support is stability from year to year. It allows organizations to plan and grow.” (00:22:35 – 00:22:55)

On treating the arts as an industry

“It’s a good investment. When government puts money into the arts, the population gets value back.” (00:26:19 – 00:26:38)

On optimism and advocacy

“Artists are incredibly resourceful. They do a lot with a little, and that’s why these dollars matter.” (00:28:06 – 00:28:28)

About the guest

Kelly Langgard
Director and CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation

Kelly Langgard has more than 25 years of experience across public policy, arts funding, governance, strategic planning, and cultural diplomacy. She has held senior roles at the Canada Council for the Arts, Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, and the Ontario Arts Council. Her career spans media arts, audience development, international partnerships, and strategic research, with a consistent focus on expanding opportunities for artists and strengthening cultural ecosystems.

About the organizations discussed

Toronto Arts Council (TAC)
The Toronto Arts Council funds artists and arts organizations for the benefit of everyone. Operating through an agreement with the City of Toronto, TAC distributes public funds to support creative work across all disciplines and neighbourhoods.

Toronto Arts Foundation (TAF)
The Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that raises private funds to expand access to the arts, support artists, and deliver free and community-based arts programming across Toronto.

Black Arts Annual Operating Program
A Toronto Arts Council initiative providing annual operating support to Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving arts organizations. The program was developed in consultation with Black artists and arts leaders to address systemic barriers and build long-term sustainability.

Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and (In) Bloom Gala
Toronto’s largest annual arts fundraising event, hosted by the Mayor of Toronto. The event brings together political, business, and cultural leaders while showcasing artists whose work is supported through Toronto Arts Foundation programs.

Where to find the guest online

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-langgard-1209687a/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellylanggard/

Useful resources and links

• Toronto Arts Council: https://torontoartscouncil.org/
• Toronto Arts Foundation: https://torontoartsfoundation.org/
• Black Arts Annual Operating Program: https://torontoartscouncil.org/grants/black-arts-annual-operating/
• (In) Bloom Gala information: https://torontoartsfoundation.org/programs/in-bloom-gala/
• Maclean’s article by Kelly Langgard on the state of Canada’s arts sector:
  https://macleans.ca/the-year-ahead/how-to-save-canadas-arts-organizations/