2018 AnnualReport onCulture
1 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
On behalf of Council and staff, I’m pleased to present
Richmond Hill’s 2018 Report on Culture.
In Richmond Hill, we believe that culture is an
essential cornerstone to the development of a vibrant
community. We are a place where people can come
together to celebrate natural and cultural diversity,
where creativity is fostered, ideas are exchanged and
where the arts are appreciated.
In 2011, Council approved Richmond Hill’s first Cultural
Plan. The Cultural Plan established an overarching vision,
goals and recommendations for cultural development in
Richmond Hill over a ten-year time frame.
This was an exciting year with the continued delivery
of programs designed to add capacity to local not-for-
profit organizations, as well as independent artists and
to make Richmond Hill a place where culture thrives.
Initiatives included continued funding available
through the Community and Cultural Grant Program,
partnering with Business for the Arts to implement the
ArtsVest Sponsorship and Board Governance Program
and the inaugural presentation of the Richmond Hill
Arts Awards.
You can learn more about the programs and activities
that have taken place through the Cultural Plan in
this report. You will find facts and figures related to
cultural programming, festivals and events, cultural
institutions and community engagement activities in
2018.
The accomplishments outlined in this report would
not be possible without our dedicated volunteers,
passionate artists, unique arts and culture
organizations and the community as a whole for
supporting our cultural initiatives and contributing to
our vibrant Richmond Hill.
Please join us in celebrating seven years of cultural
development in Richmond Hill!
Yours Sincerely,
Dave Barrow
Mayor
Message from the Mayor
2 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
1. Demonstrated Leadership
9 Completed third term of the Cultural Leadership
Council
9 Convened issue-based community forum
9 Delivered third round of funding through
Richmond Hill Community and Cultural Grant
Program
9 Strengthened and expanded Cultural Mapping in
Richmond Hill
2. A Dynamic Cultural Sector
9 Hosted Richmond Hill’s fifth Cultural Summit
9 Fostered stronger leadership and organizational
capacity among non-profit cultural organizations
9 Engaged Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise
Centre in Business Development and Technical
Assistance for the Cultural Sector
9 Continued implementing the Richmond Hill
Festivals and Events Strategy
9 Enhanced partnerships with Richmond Hill
Public Library
3. An Inclusive Cultural Community
9 Developed a community programs calendar
9 Continued to strengthen and expand youth
engagement in culture
4. Places and Spaces for Culture
9 Implemented the Public Art Policy
9 Continued implementing comprehensive online
inventory of cultural spaces and facilities
9 Identified new and affordable cultural spaces
5. A Celebrated Story
9 Communicated cultural success stories
9 Profiled Cultural Icons
Richmond Hill is admired as a vibrant community in which culture is a part of all facets of the Town’s planning and decision-making; where diversity, gender and age are reflected in all aspects of cultural expression; and where authentic and distinctive identity inspires a creative spirit.
Vision
Cultural Plan in Action
3 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
1. Demonstrated LeadershipCultural Leadership Council
The third two-year term of the Cultural Leadership
Council (CLC) was completed in October 2018. The
CLC is comprised of 22 members and represents
artists, arts and cultural groups, creative industries,
youth and diverse citizens. The diverse makeup of
the CLC provides an important connection between
Richmond Hill, its community, and local businesses
to achieve the goals and recommendations of the
Cultural Plan. The CLC met three times in 2018 and
provided valuable input into many recommendations,
including the Richmond Hill Cultural Summit, and the
Neighbourhood Strategy.
Community Forum
Richmond Hill’s Cultural Plan was developed based on
extensive community consultation. As the Cultural Plan
is implemented, the community shapes the development
of projects and initiatives. In addition to ongoing
community consultations through the CLC, Richmond Hill
invited feedback through the Cultural Summit.
Community and Cultural Grant Program
Richmond Hill is proud to support the local not-for-
profit organizations and individual artists who make
Richmond Hill a vibrant and exciting place to live and
work. To support these groups, Richmond Hill offers a
Community and Cultural Grant Program. This $65,000
fund provided support to 26 community and cultural
organizations, as well as individual artists whose
projects supported a more vibrant Richmond Hill.
The Community and Cultural Grant Program provides
funding on an annual basis. The fourth intake for 2019
projects was also undertaken in November 2018.
Richmond Hill Culture Map
In 2018 Richmond Hill launched a new scavenger hunt
to engage the public with the Park Stories Map. The
online Map profiles the unique history, culture and
design of 25 parks across the community. Families
were invited to explore some of Richmond Hill’s most
celebrated parks for a chance to win a $250 Recreation
and Culture credit.
The Culture Map also continues to be an updated
resource to the community. It allows users to locate
cultural resources in Richmond Hill under nine
categories, including the creative cultural industries,
natural and cultural heritage, cultural facilities,
community cultural organizations, public art, festivals
and events, intangible assets and independent artists.
Snapd Richmond Hill
4 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
2. A Dynamic Cultural SectorRichmond Hill Cultural Summit
The fifth annual Richmond Hill Cultural Summit was
held on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Richmond Hill
Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA). The 2018
Summit marked our most successful event to date,
with 293 Richmond Hill-based artists, volunteers,
residents and culture lovers in attendance. The night
featured the annual Cultural Plan progress update, as
well as performances by local artists, demonstrations
from community art organizations, visual art gallery
and a networking reception.
The Cultural Summit also featured the presentation of
the inaugural Richmond Hill Arts Awards. The goal of
the Arts Awards program is to profile cultural success
stories by recognizing creative talent and community
contribution to the arts sector in Richmond Hill. The
winners of the 2018 Arts Awards featured Andrea End
winning in the Mid-career/Established Artist category,
Shonna Foster receiving the Emerging Artist award and
Julia Zolota accepting the Youth Artist award.
Capacity Building for Cultural Organizations
Arts and cultural organizations deliver programs
and services that support Richmond Hill’s continued
growth into a more vibrant community. To help build
their capacity, Richmond Hill partnered with Business
for the Arts to deliver ArtsVest; a sponsorship training
and board governance program. Ten Richmond Hill
arts organizations participated in the program, which
included peer to peer workshops and mentorship
sessions with Canada’s top sponsorship experts.
Business Development and Technical Assistance
for the Cultural Sector
Richmond Hill supports the development of creative
industries and recognizes their impact on the local
and regional economy. The eighth annual Creative
Industries Symposium was held on Tuesday, November
6, 2018 with 300 people in attendance. The theme this
year was the Interaction of Technology and Creativity.
The Symposium fosters a dialogue between creative
minds and provides a networking opportunity for
creative entrepreneurs to connect with industry
leaders. During the Symposium, the third Creativity
Connected Awards were presented, recognizing
individuals or companies in Richmond Hill who have
demonstrated excellence in the creative industries
field. The Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise
Centre (RHSBEC) hosts workshops and offers
assistance in business development.
Festivals and Events Strategy
The Festivals and Events Strategy continues to be
implemented to support third party event organizers
as they plan and execute their events within the
community. Organizers looking to plan new events
can find valuable resources online such as the
Community Event Planning Guide, the Festivals and
Events Resource Manual and Toolkit. The Festivals
and Events Application is also available online at
RichmondHill.ca.
Enhanced Partnerships with the Richmond Hill Public Library
The Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) is a vibrant
cultural institution. Together, Richmond Hill and the
Library have worked to continue to support cultural
development in the community. In 2018, both the
Library and Richmond Hill partnered to deliver
Moonlight Movies and Culture Days. In support
of Culture Days, the Central Library served as a
community hub with activities offered by local artists
and arts organizations to over 790 attendees. The
Library also supports the Cultural Leadership Council
and Richmond Hill’s Interdepartmental Culture Team.
5 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
3. An Inclusive Cultural Community
Inclusive Community Programs Calendar
Richmond Hill recognizes the impact and importance
the Community Festivals and Events have on its
residents. To help increase the profile of the event,
Richmond Hill continues to implement the online
Community Programs Calendar, which allows
members of the public to list community-led events.
Users can create an account at RichmondHill.ca,
review the event eligibility criteria and then submit
their event for approval.
Youth Engagement in Culture
Richmond Hill supports meaningful youth engagement
in the development of cultural activities. Youth are
one of the six key sectors represented on the Cultural
Leadership Council. In addition, youth are engaged
directly through the Youth Action Committee. In 2018,
this engagement resulted in the fourth annual Hill
After Dark event. This cultural fusion event for youth is
hosted by the Youth Action Committee and attracted 50
youth and their families.
4. Places and Spaces for Culture
Public Art
Richmond Hill continues to enhance the public realm
with artistic experiences. In 2018 the Richmond Hill
Memorial Veteran Statue was unveiled at the Cenotaph
in front of the McConaghy Centre. The statue pays
tribute to all the brave men and women who lost their
lives while serving their country.
The Public Art Advisory Council supported the
selection of the 2018 Artist in Residence. The Artist in
Residence program provides professional artists with
the opportunity to develop a new piece of work with
the stated purpose of engaging the community and
animating outdoor public spaces. The 2018 artist was
blacksmith Aimie Botelho, who created a temporary
installation called Bookaleidoscope. The sculpture was
located in the Richmond Hill Central Library Garden
and allowed the community to view the world in
different patterns and colours. Two workshops were
also offered where families were invited to build their
own craft kaleidoscope.
Cultural Spaces and Facilities
The Museum Feasibility Study continued to be
implemented in 2018 with the launch of the Online
Artifact Collections Database, which allows users to
engage and explore Richmond Hill's past through
significant artifacts. The collection commemorates the
community's heritage, culture and the arts thorough
the Heritage Collection, the Sports Hall of Fame
Collection and the Public Art Collection.
On June 9, 2018, the Richmond Hill David Dunlap
Observatory (DDO) officially re-opened its doors to
the public as a Town-owned facility. From 1935 to 2007,
the Observatory was at the forefront of Canadian
astronomical research. Richmond Hill is proud that the
DDO continues to be a regional centre for education
and public outreach related to astronomy. Community
members can now experience the wonders of astronomy
through exciting programs and historical tours.
6 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
What’s up for 2019?Implementation of Richmond Hill’s Cultural Plan will continue
in 2019 with initiatives designed to strengthen culture in the
community, including:
9 The sixth annual Richmond Hill Cultural Summit on Tuesday,
March 26, 2019
9 Presentation of the 2nd Richmond Hill Arts Awards
9 Richmond Hill’s 2019 Artist in Residence Program
9 Continued funding available through Community and
Cultural Grant Program
9 Culture Days 2019
9 Capacity building support for not-for-profit cultural
organizations
9 Continued development of Spacefinder York Region in
partnership with York Region Arts Council
9 Initiate research for renewing Richmond Hill Cultural Plan
And much more!
5. A Celebrated Story
Celebrated Stories
Richmond Hill continues to recognize that the stories
of our community are among our greatest cultural
assets. To celebrate these stories, an initiative called
Celebrated Stories was developed. The purpose of
this initiative is to collect and share the stories that
express Richmond Hill's unique identity and sense of
place. Some of the short-film projects that Richmond
Hill has produced over the years include Cultural
Icons, the Digital Storytelling Project and Richmond
Hill: Past, Present, Future. The videos can be viewed at
RichmondHill.ca/CelebratedStories.
7 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill offers a diverse range of arts, culture and heritage programs for many interests, ages and abilities.
The Heritage Centre offers programs that celebrate Richmond Hill’s rich history through educational programs,
exhibits, walking tours and afternoon tea. Art programs are offered in a variety of disciplines and allow
participants to develop their creativity. Annual special events like the Studio Tour, Moonlight Movies, Doors Open
and Culture Days engage the community while showcasing Richmond Hill’s history, culture and talent.
Arts and Culture Programming
2018 Studio Tour visitors
2,100
attended Doors Open across 15 sites
1,830+artists featured in the 2018 Studio Tour across 18 locations
46
attended special events for older adults
2,413attended Moonlight Movies
2,800+
attended Culture Days activities in Richmond Hill
800+
adults, children and youth in registered arts, culture and heritage programs
6,200+
attended Artist in Residence program
1,000+
attended Heritage Services events
Heritage Services opened a Little Free Library at Amos Wright Park
939
✓Likes and followers on Cultural Plan and Studio Tour Facebook and Twitter accounts
2,500
projects supported through the Community and Cultural Grant Program
26
Richmond Hill Group of Artists
8 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Opera York
Art in Migration
Snapd Richmond Hill
9 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
events took place at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts over 312 days
385students attended performances of the Education Program
11,666
patrons100,000+
Located in the heart of the historic downtown, the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA) is
a state of the art cultural facility that offers a full season of professional entertainment celebrating the many
cultures of York Region. The Centre is also home to Richmond Hill’s diverse arts community, creating a major
venue in the downtown core to bring Canadian and international performers to the area. In 2018, the RHCPA
launched its 2018/2019 season called Many Hands Make Art Work. The season is inspired by the upcoming 10th
anniversary of the RHCPA’s opening night, which takes place in February 2019.
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
international film screenings as part of The Reel Thing Film Series
10
89,024tickets issued
visual art showings5
Opera York International Watercolour Society Canada
10 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) is a place for all. All four branches - Central Library, Oak Ridges Library,
Richmond Green Library and Richvale Library – represent inclusive centres for learning, for all those who step
through the physical and virtual doors. The RHPL has proudly served the local community for more than 165
years, acting as a pioneer in supporting democracy, cultural growth and equitable services to information,
regardless of race, creed, age, gender or sexual identity, or socioeconomic status. With more collection items,
programs, cultural events and digital resources available than ever before, the RHPL is a community hub that
provides space to learn, the ability to build connections and celebrate curiosity.
Richmond Hill Public Library
in-person visits1,004,224
social media visits692,818
Wi-Fi connections1,158,173electronic visits1,520,688
collection items borrowed2,100,819
program attendees66,705
11 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill festivals and events are a great way for residents to connect with one another while celebrating
local culture, talent, heritage and achievements. Every year, events like Ribfest, Canada Day and Tastes of the Hill
attract both local and regional audiences. All of Richmond Hill’s dynamic festivals and events generate economic
benefit, build community pride and strengthen Richmond Hill’s unique identity.
Festivals and Events
98,000+people attended events in 2018
12 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill’s creative industries include a diverse range of talent from actors, broadcasters, designers,
writers and many more. Through their work, this talent plays an integral role in the local and regional economy.
Richmond Hill is proud to support and recognize this talent through the annual Creativity Connected Symposium
and Awards. Workshops and business development assistance is also provided to the creative industries through
the Small Business Enterprise Centre.
Creative Industries
300attended the Creativity Connected Symposium
438creative industries mapped on the Richmond Hill Culture Map
46film permits issued
3of Richmond Hill's most talented received the third Creativity Connected Awards
13 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill’s cultural heritage has a unique and powerful historical narrative. This heritage is protected and
celebrated through buildings and structures, landscapes, archeological sites and artifact collection. Richmond
Hill also recognizes that natural heritage resources are significant assets that represent key quality of life features
valued by residents and contribute in a significant way to a vibrant community. The Town is committed to
protecting this natural heritage system for future generations to enjoy.
Heritage
updated Inventory of Cultural Heritage Resources
110designated heritage properties
248registered and listed heritage properties
9,610artifacts significant to the history of Richmond Hill
✓
Heritage Grants were awarded for restoration and maintenance
8
launched Richmond Hill Online Artifact Collection
Richmond Hill was designated a Bee City by Bee City Canada
✓ ✓
14 | 2018 Annual Report on Culture | Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill’s strength and vibrancy is directly supported by residents of all ages who volunteer their time
and talents to assist with the delivery of community programs and special events. Richmond Hill is proud of its
volunteers – their commitment and passion is important to the vibrancy of the community.
Community Engagement
community members engaged in arts, culture and heritage related committees
42
community organizations accessed the volunteer database
8
members of the Youth Action Committee volunteered approx. 2,600 hours
40
1,312volunteers supported events and recreational programs
38,345+hours contributed
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