Mississauga's New Cultural Districts Help Create Vibrant Neighbourhoods Through Art & Culture

Mississauga’s Culture Master Plan came into sharper focus as Council approved the City of Mississauga’s Cultural Districts Implementation Plan. The plan introduces six cultural districts in Mississauga, each attributed with distinct themes, as the City looks to enrich cultural spaces to improve the quality of life for residents and the economic success of Mississauga.

“How we shine as a city has so much to do with our arts and culture, and I truly believe our residents and visitors will all benefit from improved cultural spaces throughout Mississauga,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “From entertainment venues and art galleries to dining out and connecting in green spaces, cultural districts are designed to offer people a wide range of experiences all within a concentrated and well-designed community space.”

The three-year (2021-2023) plan, aligning with the Connect, Belong and Prosper pillars of the City’s Strategic Plan, was carefully researched and designed by the City’s Culture Division to connect to other City strategies, such as the Culture Master Plan and Economic Recovery Plan for Creative Industries.

“Many cities are known for their distinct neighbourhoods, which is why we have benchmarked ourselves to other thriving cities around the world,” said Paul Damaso, Director, Culture Division. “The plan meshes the entrepreneurial spirit of business and creative passion of the arts and culture community together in a collective path to success in Mississauga. Cultural districts will attract visitors to the city to support local businesses, while the arts and culture community will have improved, innovative spaces to showcase their craft. This is about creating vibrant neighbourhoods and community hubs as destinations for locals and visitors alike.”

The history, heritage and future plans of each neighbourhood were explored. The six districts include: 

·       Port Credit – exploration, entertainment, the arts and cultural heritage

·       Streetsville – cultural heritage, entertainment and exploration

·       Downtown Core – arts and innovation, entertainment and food 

·       Cooksville – food, cultural heritage, music and entertainment

·       Clarkson – sustainability, cultural heritage, arts and entertainment

·       Malton – cultural heritage, community and exploration

As noted in the staff report, public consultation will take place between February and July 2021 and will help identify and prioritize the cultural needs within each district.