The city of Montreal is proud to announce the adoption and official launch of its new Cultural Development Policy 2025-2030 ‘Creating, transforming, uniting’, a strategic framework that places culture at the heart of the city's development and the quality of life of Montrealers.
This policy sets out a clear vision: by 2030, the arts, culture and heritage will have strengthened the social fabric of Montreal, while acting as levers for change in the face of social, climate and economic challenges. It is based on five fundamental guiding principles:
- Montréal identity;
- accessibility, inclusion and equity;
- transversality and consultation;
- socio-ecological transition;
- freedom of artistic expression and intellectual freedom.
"In Montréal, culture is part of our daily lives. It brings us together, inspires us and moves us forward. The Cultural Development Policy 2025-2030 is an essential lever for building a city that is inclusive, sustainable and resolutely forward-looking. It reflects our determination to make culture a driving force for development and social cohesion, accessible to all, in all neighbourhoods. Thanks to this shared vision, Montréal is asserting its role as a strong, creative and committed French-speaking cultural metropolis," said Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante.
A structuring commitment in a demanding context
At a time when the cultural community is going through a period of fragility, the Cultural Development Policy 2025-2030 makes it possible to better plan, coordinate and optimise the use of existing resources, in particular the $158 million invested thanks to the Cultural Development Agreement signed between the Ville de Montréal and the Government of Quebec, and the city's regular budgets. It is the result of close consultation with partners in the sector and a clear desire to strengthen the cross-cutting nature of cultural actions across all municipal departments. This strategic choice reflects the importance that the City attaches to culture as a lever for sustainable development and an essential pillar of quality of life, even in a complex budgetary context.
A policy anchored in its time
Designed to respond to contemporary realities, such as an ageing population, a precarious cultural environment and social and ecological transitions, this policy aims to strengthen the resilience of communities, support creators and promote a culture that is accessible, vibrant and representative of Montréal's diversity. It also aims to strengthen the role of young people in Montréal's cultural development.
Culture for all, at the heart of tomorrow's Montreal
In addition to the projects already underway in the city of Montréal, the Cultural Development Policy 2025-2030 is distinguished by gains that will strengthen access, participation and cultural vitality in Montréal, for the benefit of the entire population, including :
- aboriginal governance of culture and heritage, bringing together aboriginal organisations and players from various sectors;
- a distinctive sound identity supported by a greater presence of French-language music by Quebec artists in municipal programming, as well as in public spaces and municipal services;
- greater participation by young people in cultural life;
- greater visibility and accessibility for municipal libraries, Maisons de la culture and museums to attract new audiences;
- integrated cultural expertise in revitalisation projects and opportunity sectors;
- renewed governance of Montréal, cultural metropolis, acting as a strategic lever for the city's development and influence;
- a project dedicated to showcasing Montréal's history.
It is aligned with the city's major orientations, in particular Montréal 2030, the Urban Planning and Mobility Plan (PUM), the Downtown Strategy and the Nightlife Policy, in order to make culture a driving force for sustainable, equitable and unifying development.
Rigorous and collaborative implementation
The Policy will be implemented by the Culture Department, in close collaboration with the boroughs, municipal departments and partners in the cultural community. A scorecard will be used to monitor progress using clear indicators, and annual reporting will ensure transparency and the ongoing commitment of all stakeholders.
This Policy is also an essential lever for the implementation of the 2024-2027 Cultural Development Agreement signed with the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, representing an investment of $158 million.
"I am particularly proud of this Policy, which is the fruit of sustained dialogue with artists, organisations, institutions and citizens, reflecting their aspirations. It responds to the realities on the ground and charts a clear course for the years to come. By placing culture at the heart of our neighbourhoods and supporting creativity in all its forms, we are affirming that culture is essential to the vitality of our city and the quality of life of those who live here," added Ericka Alneus, the member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal responsible for culture, heritage, gastronomy and nightlife.
SOURCE City of Montreal - Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
