Brampton Arts Organization

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The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO), previously the Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency (ACCIDA), is a unique organization incubating within the City of Brampton focused on growing, celebrating, advocating for and connecting the creative sector by offering a range of programs, services and resources. We are a key partner in delivering the City’s ambitious vision for the arts, culture and creative industries as articulated in the City’s strategic vision and Culture Master Plan.

Vision: A thriving, confident, and valued creative scene and cultural ecology is the heart of our prosperous mosaic city.

Mission: To incubate, advance, connect and advocate for Brampton’s arts, culture and creative industries.

Values: Passion and Ambition, Diversity and Inclusiveness, Service, Community and Collaboration, Excellence and Innovation, Optimism.

We are focused on providing programs and services in collaboration with inter and cross-sectoral partners in the areas of:

  1. Funding, finance and investment.
  2. Leadership, advocacy and innovation.
  3. Sector development and growth.

BAO is a member of the Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario (AACO).

2022 highlights include:

  • 605% increase in Brampton Arts Organization event and program attendance in 2022.
  • More than 3,240 local artists participated in one of our 87 events, programs and workshops in 2022.
  • 132 Brampton artists showcased through 10 calls for submission in 2022.
  • ​Launched the Creative Space Catalogue: a public space inventory of more than 200 Brampton sites where arts and culture activities can take place.
  • Launched the BAO Ambassador Program with Brampton representatives including: Director X, Rupi Kaur, Haviah Mighty, Sasha Leigh Henry and others across creative disciplines.

Read our full BAO-2022-annual-report-final.pdfBAO-2022-annual-report-final.pdf.

Read our 2021 Annual Report​.


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Announcements

Brampton Winter Artist Market Returns

The Brampton Winter Artist Market is once again part of the City's Winter Lights Festival. This year the market will be held on Saturday, November 18th at the Brampton Library's Springdale Branch.

BAO Strategic Plan 2023-2025

Our 2023-2025 plan is one grounded in our values and the needs of Bramptonians as we work to help drive the local arts and culture sector forward with a shared vision for lifting, supporting, showcasing and celebrating the arts in Brampton.

BAO launches new workshop series for Brampton Creatives by Brampton Creatives

BAO has provided local artists and creatives with a unique platform to present, develop and curate programming and initiatives tailored specifically for the creative community.

Support Indigenous Communities Resources

Resources for further learning and recommended ways to support Indigenous communities.

Sima Naseem is the inaugural BAO x Brampton Library Artist in Residence

Sima Naseem will be undertaking a community-based artist residency at the Brampton Library’s Four Corners branch from September to December 2023.

ACCIDA is now the Brampton Arts Organization (BAO)

The Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency (ACCIDA) is now the Brampton Arts Organization (BAO).

BAO Land Acknowledgment

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples inhabited and cared for this land, and continue to do so today. Brampton Arts Organization is located on the Treaty Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Huron - Wendat; Haudenosaunee. Brampton resides within Treaty 19 and is referred to as the Ajetance Purchase. BAO recognizes the Indigenous peoples whose names were not recorded have travelled through and cared for this territory from time immemorial. We acknowledge and respect that all life comes from the land and that we must also care for this land and all life that inhabits this land.

We recognize the enduring presence of First Nations, Metis, Inuit on Turtle Island and strive to deepen our own understanding of the host Nations on whose territory we reside and we encourage all those that now call Brampton home to learn about the history and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to grow our families on this land and promise to care for the waters, the sky and all beings looking Seven Generations ahead.​​​​​​

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Get in Touch - We want to hear from YOU!

Contact:

Michael Vickers, Senior Program Lead, Brampton Arts Organization
michael.vickers@brampton.ca

Katy Belshaw, Programming Coordinator, Brampton Arts Organization
 katherine.belshaw@brampton.ca

Gardenia Flores, Audience Development and Marketing Coordinator, Brampton Arts Organization
 gardenia.flores@brampton.ca

Aisling Dunne, Finance and Administration Assistant, Brampton Arts Organization
 aisling.dunne@brampton.ca

Amanda Foulds, Education and Community Outreach Coordinator, Brampton Arts Organization
 amanda.foulds@brampton.ca