Welcome to the Town of Markham's Cultural Directory, containing a complete and comprehensive listing of local cultural activities, businesses and organizations. Find local festivals and events, artisans and creative industries, natural or cultural heritage facilities and more!

"Markham already has a growing number of creative industries , a richly diverse community and well-established cultural facilities - including the Town-operated Varley Art Gallery, Markham Theatre and Markham Museum.
Building a "Creative Markham" is one of the core mandates of Markham's innovative 10-year Economic Strategy: Markham 2020. The strategy envisions Markham as a place where innovation, technology and cultural diversity help fuel successful enterprises and create a high quality of life. It also identifies the Information, Entertainment and Cultural Industries as one of the four key sectors with strong opportunity for success.

The Town of Markham created a Culture Department in 2008 to bring focus and direction to cultural development. In 2009, the Culture Department and the Economic Development Department partnered to undertake an asset mapping exercise to describe and define the extent and scope of the arts and cultural sector in Markham. As a result, The Town has launched an online searchable directory of cultural assets and is working on mapping this data to inform Markham's cultural development plans and policies. The Culture Department is currently developing a 10 year Culture Plan called "Building a Creative Markham". Community consultations commence mid 2010. There is a Council created Advisory Committee to guide the planning process.

Also, Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre (MSBEC) in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario Ministry of Culture, Markham Arts Council, Town of Markham Culture Department and Markham Board of Trade, to produce a number of events to fuel the success of local artists and cultural entrepreeneurs. MSBEC aims to provide business advisory services and networking opportunities for independent and home-based cultural entrepreneurs to assist them to become commercially successful.

For more information on Markham's Culture Department and Culture Plan consultations please contact John Ryerson at jryerson@markham.ca. For more information on MSBEC's cultural entrepreneurship programs please contact Sandra Tam at sandratam@markham.ca.

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