The Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency

The Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency is a unique organization incubating under the City of Brampton focused on growing, celebrating, advocating for and connecting the sector through the provision of a range of programs, services and resources. We are a key partner in delivering the City’s ambitious vision for 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:

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

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

2021 highlights include:

Nearly 500 artists participated in online events, programs, information sessions and workshops in 2021 with 96% of attendees gaining new insight and perspective from the events
$100k was awarded to 75 local artists, musicians and performers through the COVID-19 Recovery Fund for Artists
Enhanced public art in the community through a range of mediums including murals in downtown Brampton, 38 artist and artisan booths and three major chalk-art installations at the Brampton Farmers’ Market, multiple digital exhibits in Garden square, a 3D virtual art gallery and much more
Engaged with nearly 200 artists and arts organizations through the Big Artist Space Survey to assess and begin to address the status of creative space across the city
Have ensured events and resources are free and accessible for all to attend and provided employment opportunities for local artists and arts workers

Read our full 2021 End of Year Report here.

Announcements

ACCIDA thrives in first year of operation

In its inaugural year, the City of Brampton’s Arts, Culture and Creative Industry Development Agency has made great strides at helping transform, support and nurture Brampton’s arts community.

Call for Assessor Nominations

We are looking for people who are plugged into the local arts and culture scene and are interested in giving back. We need your input to help select artists from our calls for submissions and to provide feedback on proposed programming.

Power Hour - Our New Workshop Series

Power Hour is a twice monthly lunch & learn for all artists, creators and cultural workers. These practical, easily digestible yet hands-on workshops will help empower you as an artist to build the critical skills needed to develop a thriving arts practice.

PIXEL: Black Artists Live Here

Explore the work of the eight local Black Brampton artists and creatives selected for this exhibit running from February 7th to May 29, 2022 daily at Garden Square.

Postcard Project: Your Artist Story Online Exhibition

Explore 20 digital artist postcards each with their own story and created by a local Brampton artist in the online exhibition for the Postcard Project - Your Artist Story.

Events

January 27 - How to Develop a Career in Public Art: A Workshop with Stephanie Boutari
Learn all about the business of running a full-time art practice, including client relations, as muralist Stephanie Boutari shares insights and go-to tools.

You can view the workshop here.
February 23 - Artist Roundtables: Speed Networking Event
In this fun, fast-paced event, we’ll facilitate conversations through a variety of zoom break-out rooms. You will get the chance to talk to other Brampton based artists, arts administrators, creatives, and arts organizations without any of the pressure you might associate with such experiences. This is a great opportunity to grow your community, meet fellow Bramptonians and find future collaborators. Register here.
February 24 - QT Artist Cabaret
The QT Artist Cabaret celebrates the culmination of the 2SLGBTQ+ digital residency for musicians and performers. For five weeks, eight artists explored and experimented together. Their brand-new works, the fruits of that exploration, will premiere at the cabaret.

This show, like the residency, celebrates diverse approaches to performance and music. Together, we'll create space for conversations about art and creative practice as Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary, Gender Nonconforming and Queer citizens of Brampton.
March 8 - Power Hour: Taxes for Artists, Musicians and Creatives
Whether you have filed taxes as an artist before or this will be your first time, you won’t want to miss our interactive, hands-on workshop with accountant Kelly Ross.

Kelly will discuss and answer your questions on completing your taxes including: tax preparation and deductions, artistic expenses, deadlines, T4s and special considerations for creatives. This workshop will offer helpful reminders for those that have filed taxes as an artist before, or a general support for those doing so for the first time. Register here for this free workshop.
March 22 - Power Hour: Artist Statements and Bios
Learn how to write clear, concise, and compelling artist statements and bios. Artist statements and bios are critical for success when applying for residencies, grants, and more.

In this hands on workshop, artist and educator Jessica Thalmann, will lead you through a presentation and two short in-class writing exercise which will guide you to reflect on your identity as an artist practitioner. Register here for this critical skills workshop.
March 30 - My Brampton Day
Join us, Brampton Library and the CBC for My Brampton Day at the Springdale Branch Library.

11:30 a.m. Unveiling of the CBC-commissioned sculpture by Abiola Idowu for the Springdale Branch Library.

12:00 - 4:00 p.m. ACCIDA Interactive Art Event - Working with artist Abiola Idowu, make the library's windows your canvas. This event is full but you can add your name to the waitlist HERE.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. An interactive Listening Session with CBC – Here's your chance to speak with local reporters on issues that concern you. Register HERE.

7:30 p.m. All Roads Lead to Brampton panel hosted by Nav Nanwa, featuring Kiran Rai, creator and podcaster; Ayo Akinola, TFC soccer phenom; Jael Richardson, author and broadcaster; and Chef Rick Matharu, entrepreneur and influencer. Register HERE.
April 5 - Ontario Arts Council Information Session
Are you interested in support to develop your arts practice?

Register for this FREE information session on multiple Ontario Arts Council (OAC) professional development grants for Peel Region artists.

Learn from OAC program staff and artists based in Peel Region who have received funding and/or been a peer assessor. There will be breakout rooms hosted by OAC staff and artists to give you an opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback.
April 12 - Artist Community Roundtable: Speed Networking #2
Speed networking is back by popular demand!

Whether you attended our first round of speed networking or you'll be joining us for the first time, this is a great opportunity to meet new people and potential collaborators.

In this fun, fast-paced event, we’ll facilitate conversations through a variety of zoom break-out rooms. You will get the chance to talk to other Brampton based artists, arts administrators, creatives, and arts organizations without any of the pressure you might associate with such experiences. Register here.
April 14 - Power Hour: How to Document Your Art
Learn the critical skills of documenting (photographing) and organizing your catalogue.

Artist and educator Jessica Thalmann will discuss the importance of clear, accurate and striking documentation of artwork for your website, portfolio, social media, grant applications, and more.

This workshop is ideal for artists and makers of all skill levels but you must have some experience with a digital or smartphone camera is required. Register here.
April 20 - Brampton Film Screening & Networking Night
Celebrate National Canadian Film Day with us and local film and video makers in Brampton! Register HERE.
April 26 - Power Hour: Presenting You Artwork
Are you an emerging artist or designer and looking for opportunities to present your artwork?

This workshop led by Onsite Gallery, OCAD University Curator, Lisa Deanne Smith, will cover targeting your audience, different venue options (non-profit, commercial, artist-run-centres, public galleries, museums, festivals, public art, DIY, etc.), how to apply and/or approach galleries, curators and organizations as well as a brief overview of contracts/funding. Register here.
April 28 - Town Hall: Community Check-In and Updates
Join us for a community check-in and learn what ACCIDA has been up to and plans for the coming months ahead. Register HERE.
May 10 - Power Hour: Taxes for Artists, Musicians and Creatives - Part 2
Back by popular demand, we are holding a second session with CPA Kelly Ross who will be answering your pre-submitted tax questions. So, if you weren’t able to attend our first session or didn’t have your question answered, then make sure you register for this session.

Please note that due to time constraints, we will need to amalgamate similar questions together. This will help ensure as many questions as possible get answered.
May 11 - Artist Community Roundtable: Discovering Delight in the Diaspora
Join us for a unique writing workshop for BIPOC writers and those curious about writing with Living Hyphen’s Founder Justine Abigail Yu. Register HERE.

Living Hyphen is a community that explores the experiences of hyphenated Canadians. Through art and writing, we uncover what it means to live in between cultures as individuals who call Canada home but with roots elsewhere.
May 17 - Power Hour: Navigating the spicy waters around NFTs
Do you want to incorporate NFTs as part of your artistic practice?

Join us for a virtual Power Hour as artist and Cryptoharlem member Jason Li talks through his experiences with NFTs — the good, the bad, and the gory.

He will also give an introduction to the concepts and technologies surrounding NFTs, contrasting its haloed promise with where the platforms are today. Register here.
May 28 - Nature Walk & Sketch with Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours
Join us at Loafers Lake for a walking tour from 10 am to 12 pm with Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours’ Nature Guide and Founder Alan Colley. Register HERE.
May 31 - Power Hour: Hosting Accessible Events
Learn how to make your events accessible, whether they're in-person, virtual or a mixture of both.

From captioning through to giving adequate time for breaks, making your event accessible in a variety of ways is tremendously important--and not as hard as you might think!

Join author and disability rights advocate Amanda Leduc in a discussion and review of some of the key accessibility features of both in-person and virtual spaces. Register here.
June 21 – Power Hour: Financial Planning for Artists and Creatives
A creative’s step-by-step, beginner’s guide to financial planning. Register HERE.
June 30 – Artist Community Roundtable: Speed Networking #3
Speed networking is back by popular demand. Come meet fellow artists, creatives, arts organizations, and arts workers. Register HERE.

Learn more about...

Get in Touch- We want to hear from YOU!

Contact:

Michael Vickers, Senior Program Lead, Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development
michael.vickers@brampton.ca

Nuvi Sidhu, Chair of the Advisory Panel, Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development
accida@brampton.ca

Katy Belshaw, Programming Coordinator, Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency
katherine.belshaw@brampton.ca

Gardenia Flores, Audience Development and Marketing Coordinator, Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency
gardenia.flores@brampton.ca