I stepped into the brick-lined alley of Evans Lane as the late summer sun cast long shadows between downtown Peterborough’s historic buildings. A vibrant mural depicting the Otonabee River wrapped around the corner, created during last year’s community art initiative. Tonight, the nearby theater was hosting the first of several public consultations about the city’s arts and culture future, and already a diverse crowd was gathering—young artists with portfolio bags, seniors with decades of local knowledge, and families representing the changing face of the city.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment,” whispered Morgan Chen, a 28-year-old ceramicist who runs a small studio in the city’s east end. “The arts community here has been building something special, but we need infrastructure and support to take it to the next level.”
Peterborough has launched an ambitious series of public consultations to develop a comprehensive Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan that will guide the city’s creative future for the next decade. The initiative, announced yesterday by the City Council, represents the first major review of cultural policy since 2012, when the previous Municipal Cultural Plan was adopted.
“This isn’t just about hanging paintings in galleries,” explained Councillor Diane Rivers at the announcement. “It’s about recognizing that arts and culture are essential threads in our community fabric—they drive tourism, support local businesses, create meaningful employment, and build civic pride.”
The consultation process comes at a critical time. According to Statistics Canada’s latest Cultural Satellite Account, the direct economic impact of culture in Ontario represents approximately $25 billion annually, with small and mid-sized cities increasingly recognized as creative hubs. For Peterborough, a city of just under 85,000 residents, the stakes are particularly high.
I watched as attendees filled out survey cards about their vision for the city. One question asked residents to identify cultural assets they valued most—from the historic Market Hall performing arts centre to the annual folk festival that draws thousands each summer.
“When I moved here from Toronto five years ago, I was surprised by how vibrant the arts scene was for a smaller city,” said Emma Williams, a graphic designer who now works with several local businesses. “But there are gaps in support, especially for emerging artists and diverse voices.”
The consultation will unfold over the next six months through community workshops, focus groups, online surveys, and pop-up events at festivals and community gatherings. City officials have emphasized that input from Indigenous communities, newcomers, youth, and seniors will be actively sought to ensure the resulting plan reflects Peterborough’s changing demographics.
“Arts and culture planning isn’t just nice-to-have, it’s essential city-building,” noted Dr. Karen Hoffman, professor of cultural policy at Trent University, who’s serving as an advisor to the process. “Research consistently shows that investments in cultural infrastructure deliver significant returns, not just economically but in health outcomes, social cohesion, and civic engagement.”
Indeed, a 2021 Hill Strategies report demonstrated that arts participation correlates with better mental health outcomes and stronger community bonds—something many residents are seeking after years of pandemic isolation.
As I wandered through the consultation space, I found myself beside James Whetung, an elder from Curve Lake First Nation who has been advocating for Indigenous representation in cultural planning for decades.
“Any arts plan has to acknowledge whose land we’re on and create genuine space for Indigenous creators,” he told me, gesturing toward a map where people were placing pins to indicate cultural spaces. “This isn’t just about buildings and budgets—it’s about whose stories get told and who gets to tell them.”
The city’s current arts landscape includes a mix of established institutions like the Peterborough Museum & Archives and the Reframe Film Festival alongside grassroots initiatives like the emerging East City Art Collective. But many participants noted that affordable studio space remains scarce, and venue options for mid-sized performances are limited.
What makes this consultation process notable is its broad definition of culture. Rather than focusing solely on traditional arts, the city is examining everything from culinary traditions to digital media, recognizing that culture manifests in increasingly diverse ways.
“When we talk about Peterborough’s cultural identity, we need to look at what makes daily life here meaningful,” said Maryam Monsef, former MP and long-time resident who attended the session. “That includes our farmers’ markets, our community gardens, our street festivals—all the ways people connect.”
The consultation comes amid competing priorities for municipal funding. Last month’s city council meeting revealed tensions over infrastructure spending, with some questioning whether arts investments should take precedence over road repairs and affordable housing initiatives.
“It’s not either-or,” argued Councillor Rivers when I asked about these concerns. “Cultural planning needs to be integrated with economic development, tourism, and neighborhood revitalization. When we invest thoughtfully in arts and culture, we strengthen the whole community.”
For youth like 17-year-old hip-hop artist Devon Williams, the consultation represents hope for more inclusive spaces. “There’s nowhere for young people to perform or collaborate unless you’re doing certain types of art,” he explained while filling out a feedback form. “We need spaces that welcome different voices and styles.”
The Ontario Arts Council has committed partial funding to support the consultation process, recognizing Peterborough’s potential as a regional creative hub. The resulting plan will include actionable recommendations for cultural infrastructure, program funding, and policy changes to support the sector’s growth.
As the evening wrapped up, I watched participants clustering around maps and vision boards, the excitement palpable. Whether this enthusiasm translates into meaningful change remains to be seen, but the city’s commitment to broad engagement suggests a recognition that culture isn’t peripheral—it’s central to Peterborough’s future.
The next public consultation sessions are scheduled for September 15th at the Peterborough Public Library and September 23rd at Trent University, with online participation options available through the city’s website.
When I visited the city’s arts district again the following morning, I found Morgan arranging clay sculptures in her studio window—pieces that reflected the landscape of the Kawarthas. “This consultation is our chance to shape the next chapter,” she said, adjusting a piece that caught the morning light. “I just hope they’re really listening.”
