The Ministry of Culture

The Ministry of Culture encourages the arts and cultural industries, protects Ontario's heritage and advances the public library system in order to maximize their contribution to the province's economic and social vitality.

The ministry implements strategies to promote and market Ontario's cultural and heritage attractions to realize their full economic potential. It works with local communities and cultural agencies to preserve Ontario's culture and heritage.

Agencies, Boards and Commissions

• Art Gallery of Ontario
  The Art Gallery of Ontario cultivates and advances the visual arts offering education, art programs, exhibits and displays.
  


• Conservation Review Board
  The Conservation Review Board conducts hearings and makes recommendations dealing with objections to the Ontario Heritage Act.
  


• McMichael Canadian Art Collection
  The McMichael Canadian Art Collection displays many of the works of art in the McMichael Collection and is locaed in Kleinburg, Ontario
  


• Minister's Advisory Council for Arts and Culture
  The Minister’s Advisory Council for Arts and Culture was established as an advisory agency of the Ministry of Culture for an initial term of five years effective June 9, 2004.
  


• Ontario Arts Council
  The Ontario Arts Council provides funding to support artists and arts organizations, ensures access to the arts, and recognizes artists and their accomplishments.
  


• Ontario Media Development Corporation
  The Ontario Media Development Corporation mandates cultural industries and stimulates employment and investment. It supports cultural industries including: book publishing, music, film, interactive digital media and television.
  


• Ontario Heritage Trust
  Ontario Heritage Trust advises the Minister on the conservation, protection and preservation of Ontario’s heritage – from buildings and natural heritage sites to collections and archaeological discoveries. The Trust also acquires, holds and maintains properties in trust for the people of Ontario. In addition, the Trust works with communities to promote heritage through the Heritage Community Recognition Program, Young Heritage Leaders and the popular Doors Open Ontario program.
  


• Ontario Library Service - North
  The Ontario Library Service North delivers programs and services to Northern Ontario by increasing co-operation and co-ordination among public library boards and information providers, and also offers consulting, training and development services.
  


• Ontario Science Centre
  The Ontario Science Centre uses science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world. The Centre is also a leading developer of interactive exhibitions for science centres around the world.
  


• Ontario Trillium Foundation
  The Ontario Trillium Foundation makes strategic investments to build healthy, sustainable and caring communities by reaching out to new sectors in the community, to support the important role that arts, culture, recreation, sports, the environment and social services play in the creation of vibrant communities.
  


• Royal Botanical Gardens
  The Royal Botanical Gardens is recognized worldwide for its unique contribution to the collection, research, exhibition and interpretation of the plant world and the development of public understanding of nature.
  


• Royal Ontario Museum
  The Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, archaeology and science, and is the largest museum in Canada to explore both the natural world and humankind’s cultural past.
  


• Science North
  

  The Science North Centre educates the public about the origins, development and progress of science and technology and their relationship to society. The Centre features exhibits, a model mine, museum and IMAX theatre.
  



• Southern Ontario Library Service
  The Southern Ontario Library Services delivers programs and services to Southern Ontario, excluding Metropolitan Toronto, by increasing co-operation and co-ordination among public library boards and information providers, and also provides consulting, training and development services.