The City of Toronto’s 2023 Cultural Hotspot program returns to the vibrant Little Jamaica neighbourhood for a second year, shining a spotlight on the community with 15 new art projects and public events running throughout August until the end of October.
Cultural Hotspot connects and invests in Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods outside the downtown core by focusing on artistic skills development, mentoring and employment while creating opportunities for local artistic expression.
This is the first year that Cultural Hotspot has focused its programming and events exclusively on Little Jamaica and is helping to support and deliver 43 mentorship and 35 employment opportunities for youth in the neighbourhood. The program’s goal is to build enduring and meaningful connections with local community artists and organizations, amplifying their contributions to the cultural fabric.
All public programming is free to attend and takes place in the area bounded by Castlefield Avenue to the north, Rogers Road to the south, Marlee Avenue to the east and Keele Street to the west.
2023 Cultural Hotspot programming highlights
The City is grateful to presenting sponsor TD Bank Group and media partners blogTO, CIUT-FM and Share Newspaper for supporting this year’s Cultural Hotspot program.
In the 10 years since the program launched, Cultural Hotspot has inspired hundreds of young people and their artistic capabilities and more than 110,000 people have attended more than 225 projects and events in neighbourhoods across Toronto.
The full list of Cultural Hotspot projects and a calendar of upcoming events is available on the City’s website.
The City, in collaboration with Jay Pitter Placemaking and local community members, is developing the new Cultural Districts Program and the Little Jamaica master planning process that will allow for more flexibility and opportunity for the City to engage in economic and cultural initiatives to help communities such as Little Jamaica thrive. More information is available on the City’s Eglinton West Corridor Little Jamaica Study webpage.
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca