The City of Kawartha Lakes adopted the Cultural Master Plan 2020-2030 in February 2020. The Plan provides a long-term vision, strategic priorities and an implementation plan to guide the growth of the local cultural economy. It also strives to enhance quality of life and place making, by providing direction to ensure that future investments reflect the unique cultural identify of Kawartha Lakes.

Since the adoption of the Cultural Master Plan 2020-2030 significant events and shifts have taken place locally and more broadly. The broad impacts that have been experienced in Kawartha Lakes include the pandemic to uncertain global economic tensions, declining volunteerism, diminishing provincial and federal government funding to name a few. Over the same period, the City has made significant investments in culture through the creation of technical cultural staff positions at the municipality, increased municipal cultural programming, new funding contributions to local cultural organizations, and a feasibility study for a new cultural centre.

The City has embarked on a process to update the Cultural Master Plan with a new Plan anticipated in the summer of 2026. Over the next few months, the team will assess the seven strategic priorities, objectives and 60+ recommendations included in the current plan.

This Kawartha Lakes Cultural Master Plan 2026-2036 is intended to shape the City’s future investments in arts, culture and heritage by building on the current plan, and implementing the Kawartha Lakes Strategic Plan and Economic Development Strategy. All of the work will be prepared through a process that ensures the community is engaged and that values and priorities are reflected.

Many opportunities will be provided for the community to share thoughts. Please stay tuned to this webpage for information on events planned over the coming months.