Shaping Cities and Communities Through Public Art, with Kelly Langgard

Public art is more than decoration— it turns urban spaces into connected communities, sharing rich stories through visual art forms. In this episode of Table 6ix, we’re excited to welcome Kelly Langgard, the Director & CEO of the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation, to discuss the crucial role of public art.

Join us as Kelly shares insights on how public art fosters dialogue, builds community, and reflects the diverse identities of Torontonians and cultures from around the world.

She’ll dive into the City of Toronto’s Public Art Strategy, and highlight the Toronto Arts Council’s 50th anniversary celebration happening on June 13 at David Pecaut Square during Luminato in the Square, a free and public event showcasing Toronto's vibrant arts scene.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The mission and impact of the Toronto Arts Council
• How public art defines and enhances a city’s identity, creates community and a sense of belonging 
• The role of graffiti in artistic expression and freedom of speech 
• The City of Toronto’s 10-year Public Art Strategy and its future vision
• The intangible, yet important benefits of public art, from social cohesion to economic vitality
• Details on Toronto Art Council’s 50th anniversary community celebration on June 13 (For more information)

Join us for an inspiring conversation that showcases the power of art!

Kelly Langgard Bio: 

Kelly Langgard has more than 25 years of experience in public policy, arts funding, governance, strategic planning, partnerships and government and stakeholder relations.  She has led various programs and initiatives aimed at supporting more opportunities for artists and arts professionals. Kelly began her career at Calgary’s Herland Feminist Film Festival before becoming Executive Director of Images Festival in Toronto, during which time she served on the boards of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre and the Independent Media Arts Alliance. She has held a number of positions at Canada Council for the Arts: Media Arts Officer, Head of Audience and Market Development, Head of Partnership and International Coordination and Manager of Strategic Research Initiatives. She has also held the positions of Senior Advisor for Cultural Diplomacy at Global Affairs Canada, Program Manager at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, and most recently Director of Granting at Ontario Arts Council.

More about the Toronto Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary Community Celebration.
Learn more about Toronto Arts Council.
For details about Toronto Arts Council grant programs and to apply, click here.
Read more about the City of Toronto’s new Action Plan for Culture Sector, here.

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Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.