Over the 2000s, Toronto initiated and instituted a process of cultivating itself as a creative city. This bid to join UCCN reflects Toronto's global leadership in advancing the concept of creative cities.
Toronto UNESCO Creative City in Media Arts has a broad support from community and government partners.
Toronto is a place where business and culture thrive. An overwhelming 96% of Torontonians see at least one benefit of the arts to the City of Toronto.
Produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community, for more than 10 years Nuit Blanche Toronto has fostered cultural engagement, making performance art, interactive installations, and mixed-media accessible to a mass and diverse audience.
More than 2.8 million residents call Toronto home, making it the largest city and sixth largest government in Canada, and the fourth largest city in North America.
"TO Canada with Love" is the City of Toronto's year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions marking Canada's 150th birthday.
"UNESCO will not be served better in terms of “building peace in the minds of men and women” through education, science, culture and communication than by designating Toronto a Creative City of Media Arts."
"This designation affirms that we are an international hub for innovation and inspiration. It affirms that Toronto's creative communities enhance our quality of life and economic vitality. We are pleased to be able to broaden our global connections through UNESCO's initiatives."
"The designation will create opportunities for international partnerships, encourage collaboration and innovation in the media arts sector, and celebrate the tremendous achievements of Toronto's artists and cultural organizations."
"Media Arts is such a powerful tool that can be used to create a sense of belonging as well as to help foster more inclusive cities. We extend our congratulations to the City of Toronto for its leadership and are looking forward to working together in advancing creative solutions to today’s urban challenges."
It is ideal that Toronto is receiving this achievement on the United Nation's annual World Cities Day. This year's theme of Innovative Governance, Open Cities reinforces the positive role that cities can have in utilizing urbanization as a source of global development and social inclusion.