The 29th Mississauga Arts Awards (MARTYS) is taking place on June 26, 2024, and nominations are now OPEN!
Professional artists and groups who are either residents of the City of Mississauga, have a significant connection to Mississauga, or have made a major contribution to the arts within Mississauga are eligible to submit a nomination.
Nominations are due Monday, March 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM. Guidelines, criteria and nomination forms are located here: macarts.ca/martys
Today, February 14th, 2024, Mississauga City Council approved $4.7 million in grant funding to support various community and cultural groups, including live music presenters in Mississauga.
As a nod to the City’s 50th anniversary, this year’s theme is Celebrate 50. This theme is designed to help arts and culture groups celebrate Mississauga’s rich and diverse communities through their unique cultural practices. It encourages projects that share underrepresented stories and histories related to Mississauga, including those that emphasize Indigenous worldviews, creative and artistic methods and presentation practices.
2024 also marks the second year of the Live Music Grant pilot program, which supports for-profit concert presenters as a part of the City’s Music Strategy.
The Community Grant program assists Mississauga-based, not-for-profit community groups by providing multi-year, annual operating and project grants to improve the quality of life for residents. The grant program aligns with the strategic priorities of the Culture, Recreation, Parks and Forestry and Environment divisions.
*Indicates multi-year funding
Grant funding for this program supports emerging and established, not-for-profit, professional and community-based arts, culture, and heritage organizations in Mississauga. The grant supports the development of exemplary arts and culture programs and services that improve participation, knowledge, understanding and an appreciation of arts, culture and heritage for residents of Mississauga.
*Indicates multi-year funding
The Cultural Festivals and Celebrations grant program provides funding to offset expenses associated with providing a clean and safe venue for the presentation of arts, heritage and cultural festivals and celebrations to residents and visitors. This grant supports a range of events that reflect the City’s many cultural traditions.
*Indicates multi-year funding
The 2024 Culture Projects Grant program aims to support arts and culture initiatives highlighting the City’s 50th anniversary. With the focus this year on “Celebrate 50”, the theme helps arts and culture groups celebrate and recognize the origins, transformations and potential of the City’s rich and diverse communities through their unique cultural practices and encourages projects that share underrepresented stories and histories related to Mississauga.
The Live Music Grant Pilot Program is a two-year pilot intended to increase the number and frequency of live music events in Mississauga. 2024 marks the second year of the program. The grant will provide $45,000 per year for a maximum of $90,000 in total funding over the two years. This grant stream is the first City Culture Grant open to for-profit businesses with the potential to increase tourism and cultural growth.
For more information about the City’s grant programs, visit the webpage.
In 2024, the City of Mississauga celebrates its 50th anniversary. This anniversary marks the City of Mississauga’s incorporation in 1974. A part of the Treaty and Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations, Mississauga is one of Canada’s largest and most diverse cities.
The City of Mississauga and Visit Mississauga are pleased to share that Folk Music Ontario has selected Mississauga as the host city for its 2024 conference and awards from October 3 to 6, 2024.
“We are excited to welcome Folk Music Ontario to Mississauga this year,” said Acting Mayor Joe Horneck. “As 2023’s Music City of the Year, our lively music scene is thriving and draws many talented artists from across the country. We look forward to spotlighting Ontario’s folk music talent and inviting them to our vibrant city this fall.”
The Folk Music Ontario Conference is the largest gathering of Canada’s folk music industry. Folk Music Ontario has partnered with Visit Mississauga to host a weekend of professional development, networking, live music and awards in venues around the downtown, including the Living Arts Centre.
“We’re delighted that Mississauga was selected to host this year’s conference and awards. It showcases our live music venues and aligns with the City’s Music Strategy,” said Victoria Clarke, CEO, Visit Mississauga. “Kudos to our team for securing this event and thank you to Folk Music Ontario for partnering with us. We look forward to amplifying Mississauga’s talented music scene to celebrate and support our local artists with these type of event opportunities.”
Last year, Mississauga was named the 2023 Music City of the Year and was recognized for its efforts in establishing a Music Strategy with a goal of positioning the city as an incubator for top musical talent and a national destination for live music events and festivals.
For more information about the 2024 Folk Music Ontario Conference, visit the website.
In 2022, the City announced its first Music Strategy: 2022-2026, which identifies 32 actions over the next five years to support the growth and development of Mississauga’s music industry. It focuses on four guiding principles, which include amplifying Mississauga’s artists, creating a favourable environment for live music, supporting underrepresented people and groups, and celebrating Mississauga’s history and success.
Visit Mississauga, is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the City of Mississauga. The organization is industry-led and responsible for developing a tourism strategy and leading tourism marketing and development efforts for a destination. The organization’s mandate of implementing the City of Mississauga’s Tourism Master Plan Tourism Mississauga is committed to promoting local businesses and bringing large scale events and attracting visitors to the City. To learn more about Visit Mississauga or check out other exciting events coming to Mississauga, go to visitmississauga.ca.
For more than 36 years, the Folk Music Ontario Conference has been the premier Canadian gathering for connecting folk music professionals. With its unwavering commitment to nurturing the growth and development of the folk music sector, the conference offers a melodic blend of professional development, showcasing, and unparalleled networking opportunities for artists and music industry professionals.
Watch 50Th Anniversary Anthem Press Conference Highlights
Mississauga Arts Council (MAC), Metalworks Studios, and SoundsUnite are pleased to announce the 50th Anthem Anniversary Contest winner, an emerging rapper who grew up in Mississauga, Mikey Bloom with his anthem “Mississauga”.
“I am truly honoured and thankful for this opportunity to be a part of Mississauga’s history,” says Mikey Bloom, 50th Anthem Anniversary Contest Winner. “This song is our collective celebration and is shared by us all. To those hearing my music for the first time, this is the greatest introduction I could ask for and I’m glad we could meet this way. Mississauga made me and now I made “Mississauga”.
“Some time ago, I had a vision to do something exceptional and special to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the City of Mississauga, this is where the 50th Anniversary Anthem Contest idea came to life,” says Ward 1 Councillor, Stephen Dasko, “My initiative was received with open arms by Metalworks Studios, SoundsUnite, Mississauga Arts Council, and the creative industries at the City of Mississauga, who collectively came together to host this song contest. I am very excited with the song selected and my heartfelt congratulations to the artist Mickey Bloom who will now be a part of Mississauga’s history.”
“As we mark five decades of growth and unity in Mississauga, our 50th Anniversary Anthem stands as a testament to the city’s evolution,” notes Gil Moore, Founder and CEO of Metalworks Studios, “By weaving the unique narratives of each neighbourhood into a dynamic composition, Mikey Bloom’s song is a timeless reflection of our shared history. This anthem is a musical celebration and a statement of Mississauga’s boundless potential.”
Jurors Murray Daigle, Music Producer, Songwriter, and Mixer; Demetrius Nath, Owner of antiskeptic entertainment and Mississauga Music, and Liberty Silver, Juno-award winning singer, were collectively impressed with Mikey’s demo, stating that it had clever songwriting, a great hook and that they can see audiences singing along to it.
“Mikey Bloom has connected many Mississauga neighbourhoods and even the spelling into a story song that represents our city’s new era at 50 years young,” says Mike Douglas, Executive Director MAC,” Congratulations Mikey if this is just the beginning of your introduction to Mississauga, we can’t wait to see where your career goes from here!”
“Mississauga” by Mikey Bloom is available on all streaming platforms as of January 20, 2024.
Mikey Bloom is an emerging musician who grew up in Mississauga. He creates a diverse range of music, including pop, dancehall, R&B and hip-hop, with his main focus being a rapper. Mikey is also a producer and songwriter, crafting all of his music and writing for others. He was inspired to write music after it helped him through difficult times in his life and he aims to create music that can help others in the same way it has helped him. Learn more: instagram.com/mikeybloom
In 1974, the year of the City of Mississauga’s incorporation, the great Country singer/songwriter Tommy Hunter wrote and recorded “Mississauga”, a song to celebrate and uplift the newly formed city. On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the City of Mississauga, the 50th Anniversary Anthem contest searched for an iconic anthem for a new era to celebrate community pride. Inspired by a vision by Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko, it was hosted by Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) in partnership with Metalworks Studios and SoundsUnite. Juried by a panel of music business peers, winner, Mikey Bloom, received a free recording and mixing session at the prestigious Metalworks Studios and had his anthem named “Mississauga’s 50th Anniversary Anthem”. Learn more: macarts.ca/anthem
Leave your mark on Mississauga’s music history!
Mississauga songwriters, submit an original anthem about Mississauga to Mississauga Arts Council and SoundsUnite in honour of the City’s 50th anniversary for your chance to win a recording and mixing session from Metalworks Studios and have your song named “Mississauga’s 50th Anthem”!
“On the upcoming 50th anniversary of the City of Mississauga, I had a vision to create an anthem for Mississauga,” Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko says. “My initiative was received with open arms by Metalworks Studios, Mississauga Arts Council and the creative industries at the City of Mississauga, who collaboratively came together to host this song contest for the most unique and fitting song to help celebrate the City of Mississauga’s milestone.”
“Mississauga’s 50th anniversary is a milestone that should be celebrated and what better way than recording a new city anthem,” mentions Gil Moore, Founder and CEO of Metalworks Studios, “Metalworks and SoundsUnite are excited and proud to record the winner and share the joy of music with our community.”
“A winning local singer-songwriter can make themselves a part of our history. Write the anthem heard across the city in 2024, and be part of every celebration of our City’s 50th Anniversary. The legendary Tommy Hunter wrote the first one, now who will write the next one?” asks Mike Douglas, Executive Director of MAC
The deadline to apply is Monday, November 13 at 11 AM.
Lakeshore Road will be closed from Hurontario to Stavebank on Saturday September 9th from 12 noon-6pm for the 25th Annual Southside Shuffle.
Please plan accordingly.
During this event, the following stops will not be serviced by route:
Route 2 North
Last serviced stop – #0345 Elizabeth Street at Park Street
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0326 – Lakeshore/Elizabeth
#0336 – Hurontario/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0324 Hurontario Street at Inglewood Drive
Route 2 South
Last serviced stop – #0335 Hurontario Street at Inglewood Drive
#0337 – Hurontario/Park
#0339 – Hurontario/Lakeshore
#0341 – Ann/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0348 Port Credit GO Station
Route 8 North
Last serviced stop – #0345 Elizabeth Street at Park Street
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0326 – Lakeshore/Elizabeth
#0336 – Hurontario/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0324 Hurontario Street at Eaglewood Boulevard
Route 8 South
Last serviced stop – #0335 Hurontario Street at Inglewood Drive
#0337 – Hurontario/Park
#0339 – Hurontario/Lakeshore
#0341 – Ann/Park
Returns to regular routing at #0342 Port Credit GO Station
Route 23 East
Last serviced stop – #0222 Lakeshore Road, east of Benson Ave
#0223 – Lakeshore/Mississauga
#0224 – Lakeshore/Front
#0325 – Lakeshore/Stavebank
#0326 – Lakeshore/Elizabeth
#0341 – Ann/Park
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0323 – Lakeshore/Hurontario
Returns to regular routing at #0353 Lakeshore Road at Elmwood Avenue
Route 23 West
Last serviced stop – #0881 Lakeshore Road at Rosewood Avenue
#0363 – Lakeshore/Ann
#0341 – Ann/Park
#0311 – Elizabeth/High
#0302 – Elizabeth/Lakeshore
#0377 – Lakeshore/Stavebank
#0378 – Lakeshore/Port Credit Library
#0267 – Lakeshore/John
#0268 – Lakeshore/Mississauga
Returns to regular routing at #0637 Lakeshore Road at Wesley Avenue
