May 4, 1999
To:Economic Development Committee
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:"The American Capital of Culture" - All Wards
Purpose:
To examine the potential candidacy of the City of Toronto for the designation of "The
American Capital of Culture" for the year 2001.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Application to seek the designation of Toronto as "The American Capital of Culture" would
initially require a considerable commitment by staff. Following a successful bid to secure the
designation, the requirement for additional staff and financial resources would continue to
increase. Additionally, the 'International Non-Governmental Organization of the American
Capital of Culture', as the organizing body, requires that a $425,000 USD fee be paid to them
at the beginning of the designation year (2001) for services rendered to the chosen city.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1.in light of the considerable staff resources required and the substantial fee associated with
obtaining this designation, the City not submit an application seeking the designation of
Toronto as the "American Capital of Culture" at this time.
Council Reference/Background/History:
In a January 1998 letter to Mayor Lastman, Mr. Xavier Tudela, President of "The American
City of Culture", expressed a desire to have the City of Toronto present itself as a candidate
for this newly created designation. Additionally, Mr. Tudela provided some preliminary
background information regarding the creation of this designation, as well as the procedures
for making an application.
This initiative was created by the Organization of American States (OAS), based on the model
currently present in Europe - the annual "European Capital of Culture". Given the impending
dissolution of trade barriers throughout the Americas early in the next century, the OAS
decided that the annual designation of an American Cultural Capital would further solidify the
relationships that already exist within the region.
The "American Capital of Culture" was established in January of 1998 at the proposal of the
Non-Governmental International Organization of the American Capital of Culture, with the
aim to contribute to a better understanding of the peoples of America, and to project the
American culture to other continents. The "American Capital of Culture" received the support
of the OAS and any country from North, South or Central America is eligible to apply.
This office made a request for further information, and subsequently, a formal information
package arrived in early April of this year. Upon examination of the details for application, it
was discovered that there would be a sizable fee imposed on the winning application.
Conclusions:
Although this initiative originally presented itself as an unsolicited compliment of Toronto's
status as a "Cultural Capital", the associated fees and regulations had not been made clear up
front. Further investigation indicated that the investment required to obtain this designation is
not feasible at this time.
Contact Name:
Beth Hanna
Culture Division
392-5225
Joe Halstead
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism