Cultural Districts

Mississauga is well-positioned to become an arts-friendly city.

With a growing arts, culture and creative industry scene and unique neighbourhoods that are emerging as popular hubs of creativity and innovation, Mississauga is well positioned to be an arts-friendly city. Many neighbourhoods in Mississauga are intensifying and we are witnessing a growing cluster of arts and culture facilities, and diverse entertainment, retail and dining options. The waterfront is more vibrant than ever and teeming with boating enthusiasts, cyclists, art lovers and foodies. Exciting things are already happening in our city and the stage is set for the development of Cultural Districts.

What are Cultural Districts?

Cultural districts are distinct, mixed-use areas that attract people because of their high concentration of cultural facilities (e.g. studios, performance venues, galleries, museums) and activities (e.g. events, shopping, dining, and public space activations). These neighbourhoods act as local cultural destinations that invite residents and visitors alike to engage in creative expression, social gathering and community building.


Physical features of Cultural Districts include:

Close Proximity to TransitA person waiting at a transit stopMix of Land UsesAn example of mixed usesInviting Parks and Public Spaces Gardens within a public space
Artful Public Realm Public art within a transit terminalVibrant Walkable StreetsGroups of people in a public spaceArts and Entertainment Facilities An exterior photo of an arts centre


Introducing Mississauga’s Cultural Districts

Building on recommendations in the 2019-2029 Culture Master Plan to focus cultural development and City services in distinct cultural districts, we have identified six neighbourhoods for the establishment of Cultural Districts:

  • Clarkson
  • Cooksville
  • Downtown
  • Malton
  • Port Credit
  • Streetsville
  • Lakeview

Click here for more information on Cultural District boundaries and the District-specific themes that will frame how these neighbourhoods develop as focal points for culture in Mississauga.

Mississauga’s Cultural Districts have been identified based on several characteristics shared by successful cultural districts worldwide – existing cultural assets to build on, increased development activity and government supported revitalization efforts, an established and engaged community, dedicated partners such as local Business Improvement Associations (BIAs), strong political support, and a budding arts and culture scene that attracts the community and spurs local tourism.

Each of Mississauga’s Cultural Districts has a unique vibe and range of cultural offerings and will evolve in a way that reflects local heritage, identity and community ambitions. Cultural Districts will provide an enriched neighbourhood experience, strengthen sense of place and provide opportunities for people to actively participate in creative placemaking, storytelling and cultural programming.


Developing Mississauga’s Cultural Districts

Recommended actions for developing Cultural Districts are outlined in the Cultural Districts Implementation Plan. The first phase of implementation will focus on flexible demonstration projects to test ideas within each Cultural District in 2021-2024 (e.g. marketing initiatives, wayfinding signage, temporary public art and public realm enhancements). The success of these projects will help to inform long-term plans for the Cultural Districts as well as build public and private sector support.

For more information, please see the Cultural Districts Implementation Plan and the FAQ section.


How you can get involved

Public engagement was held in Spring/Summer 2021 to help plan for Mississauga’s Cultural Districts. Community feedback was used to validate and refresh recommendations in the Cultural Districts Implementation Plan and inform planning for future implementation projects in the Districts.

You can take a look at the revised Implementation Plan here. The public engagement summary can be found on pg. 18.

Now that the Cultural Districts roadmap is set, we can move forward with making recommendations come to life. A lot of exciting initiatives are planned for 2022 and there will be new content for you to explore.

This page will be your one stop shop for everything related to the Districts, upcoming engagement opportunities and information regarding events and public space activations!


Mississauga is well-positioned to become an arts-friendly city.

With a growing arts, culture and creative industry scene and unique neighbourhoods that are emerging as popular hubs of creativity and innovation, Mississauga is well positioned to be an arts-friendly city. Many neighbourhoods in Mississauga are intensifying and we are witnessing a growing cluster of arts and culture facilities, and diverse entertainment, retail and dining options. The waterfront is more vibrant than ever and teeming with boating enthusiasts, cyclists, art lovers and foodies. Exciting things are already happening in our city and the stage is set for the development of Cultural Districts.

What are Cultural Districts?

Cultural districts are distinct, mixed-use areas that attract people because of their high concentration of cultural facilities (e.g. studios, performance venues, galleries, museums) and activities (e.g. events, shopping, dining, and public space activations). These neighbourhoods act as local cultural destinations that invite residents and visitors alike to engage in creative expression, social gathering and community building.


Physical features of Cultural Districts include:

Close Proximity to TransitA person waiting at a transit stopMix of Land UsesAn example of mixed usesInviting Parks and Public Spaces Gardens within a public space
Artful Public Realm Public art within a transit terminalVibrant Walkable StreetsGroups of people in a public spaceArts and Entertainment Facilities An exterior photo of an arts centre


Introducing Mississauga’s Cultural Districts

Building on recommendations in the 2019-2029 Culture Master Plan to focus cultural development and City services in distinct cultural districts, we have identified six neighbourhoods for the establishment of Cultural Districts:

  • Clarkson
  • Cooksville
  • Downtown
  • Malton
  • Port Credit
  • Streetsville
  • Lakeview

Click here for more information on Cultural District boundaries and the District-specific themes that will frame how these neighbourhoods develop as focal points for culture in Mississauga.

Mississauga’s Cultural Districts have been identified based on several characteristics shared by successful cultural districts worldwide – existing cultural assets to build on, increased development activity and government supported revitalization efforts, an established and engaged community, dedicated partners such as local Business Improvement Associations (BIAs), strong political support, and a budding arts and culture scene that attracts the community and spurs local tourism.

Each of Mississauga’s Cultural Districts has a unique vibe and range of cultural offerings and will evolve in a way that reflects local heritage, identity and community ambitions. Cultural Districts will provide an enriched neighbourhood experience, strengthen sense of place and provide opportunities for people to actively participate in creative placemaking, storytelling and cultural programming.


Developing Mississauga’s Cultural Districts

Recommended actions for developing Cultural Districts are outlined in the Cultural Districts Implementation Plan. The first phase of implementation will focus on flexible demonstration projects to test ideas within each Cultural District in 2021-2024 (e.g. marketing initiatives, wayfinding signage, temporary public art and public realm enhancements). The success of these projects will help to inform long-term plans for the Cultural Districts as well as build public and private sector support.

For more information, please see the Cultural Districts Implementation Plan and the FAQ section.


How you can get involved

Public engagement was held in Spring/Summer 2021 to help plan for Mississauga’s Cultural Districts. Community feedback was used to validate and refresh recommendations in the Cultural Districts Implementation Plan and inform planning for future implementation projects in the Districts.

You can take a look at the revised Implementation Plan here. The public engagement summary can be found on pg. 18.

Now that the Cultural Districts roadmap is set, we can move forward with making recommendations come to life. A lot of exciting initiatives are planned for 2022 and there will be new content for you to explore.

This page will be your one stop shop for everything related to the Districts, upcoming engagement opportunities and information regarding events and public space activations!


  • Blissful Release (Streetsville Pride Mural)

    Streetsville Cultural District

    Vivian Rosas, “Blissful Release”, 2021. Photographs by Tori Lambermont.

    Click on the title of the article for full content!

    The City of Missisauga’s Public Art Program commissioned professional artist Vivian Rosas (@vivianrosas) to paint a rainbow ground mural to honour and celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Mississauga.

    Following a public vote that saw almost 400 responses, Streetsville Village Square was selected as the location for the mural. 70 people participated in virtual dance and drawing classes, where they collaborated to help the artist envision the mural’s final design.

    The mural was funded by the Region of Peel, in recognition of their support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Peel.

    In the artist’s words…

    "This isn't just another rainbow road. This is what joy in the 2SLGBTQ+ community looks like! With this mural I wanted to envision the magical places where 2SLGBTQ+ folks can come together to share in safe space. Where they can blissfully release and feel like their true selves without fear of judgment. Moving together, crashing to the same beat, finding joy and pride for who they are. Each so different, yet finding community, and chosen family in one place and feeling held. These are the spaces 2SLGBTQ+ folks need more than ever." -Vivian Rosas

    For more content, take a look at the photo set and a time-lapse video of the installation!

  • We Can Dance

    Downtown Cultural District

    Image credit: Daily tous les jours

    Click on the title of the article for full content!

    From June 25 – July 4, 2021, Mississauga Celebration Square (MCS) hosted We Can Dance, a pop-up dance studio that broadcasts recordings of people dancing as part of a never-ending onscreen dance party. Visitors were invited to step into a modified shipping container and perform a series of dance moves, and then see themselves up on the big screen at MCS dancing alongside all the other dancers that participated.

    For its presentation in Mississauga, Daily tous les jours and the City invited local dancer and MCS personality Mariah Amber and DJ Andre 905 to collaborate on the creation of an original dance and soundtrack. This unique pop up experience offered a safe and welcoming way for visitors to the Square to dance together.

    About the Installation
    We Can Dance is a tribute to the acclaimed filmmaker Norman McLaren and his signature animation film Canon (1964). The film explores the concept of “canon”, a musical and dance technique where performers reproduce in regular intervals parts of a song or choreography.

    About the Artist
    Daily tous les jours is an art and design studio based in Montreal. Over the past 10 years, Daily has brought its project of placemaking, community-building, and connection-making through large scale public artworks to more than 40 cities around the world.

Page last updated: 31 Jan 2023, 05:00 PM