What should the future of Oshawa’s arts and culture look like? The city wants your input
CBC
What should Oshawa’s arts and culture sector look like 10 years from now?
That’s a question city staff are asking the public as they prepare to create a new culture plan — a roadmap intended to guide Oshawa’s next decade of action to support cultural initiatives.
This will be the city’s second culture plan, replacing one that’s been in place since 2014, says Catherine Richards, the city’s senior manager of special events and culture.
“Now that the city has changed so much, it’s time to embark on new directions and adventures,” she said.
Richards said the city wants to hear what residents love and appreciate about Oshawa’s cultural life, but also wants to hear about the barriers people face in participating in events — such as transportation costs.
“What would they see as the most important change that could really propel Oshawa even further?” she said.
Richards said the city achieved a number of goals from its 2014 culture plan, such as encouraging public art by creating a legal graffiti wall at the Donevan Recreation Complex skate park.
As it develops the next plan, the city is hosting a series of pop-ups across Oshawa to get public input. A full list of locations is available on the city’s website.
Residents can also fill out a feedback form online until Dec. 15.
The final culture plan will likely go to the city council for consideration in early 2027, Richards said.
Several arts and culture organizations and venues have already participated in city engagement sessions. That includes staff from the Oshawa Museum.
Kat Akerfeldt, the museum’s executive director, says she was “blown away” by the number of arts, culture and heritage organizations in Oshawa after moving from Toronto.
“Oshawa has a really strong community spirit,” she said, adding it’s informed in part by the city’s rich industrial history.
Meanwhile, Richards called the city a “cultural powerhouse” in Durham Region that’s home to several venues and museums, but also emerging groups such as RUCKUS, an arts collective that began in 2024.
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