What does “culture” mean to you? For some, it’s concerts, festivals, art exhibitions, or cultural celebrations. For others, it’s movies, performances, libraries, community gatherings, or historic sites. However you define it - your experiences, traditions, and ideas all matter.

The City of Oshawa is creating a new Culture Plan to guide cultural policy, programs, and services for the next 10 years.

Our last plan, Culture Counts: Oshawa’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan, was launched in 2014 - and it’s time for a refresh that reflects Oshawa’s growing and changing community.

To support this work, we’ve partnered with Extra Cardamom, a boutique consulting collective known for thoughtful and values-driven collaborations.

We want to hear from you. There are many ways to share your input:

• Complete an online feedback form (scroll down)
• Share where culture matters to you on the interactive Culture Map
• Connect with City staff at a pop-up event
• Try our community engagement toolkit
• Join a focus group

Your voice will help shape the future of culture in Oshawa - ensuring it reflects the diversity, creativity, and energy of our community!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our completed focus groups:

• Literary Arts and Visual Arts
• Creative Industries
• Heritage, History and Environment
• Music and Performing Arts

These sessions are now closed.

Registration remains open for the final Public Focus Group. Hosted online, this session includes a spoken word performance, networking, and a chance to share your ideas.

Help shape Oshawa’s Culture Plan — register today.

Open to all interested in attending!

Thursday, November 20
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Virtual Meeting via ZOOM

The evening will feature a spoken word performance, networking and your chance to share ideas about the future of Culture in Oshawa.

Registration closes at noon on Tuesday, November 18.

Thursday, October 16
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Delpark Homes Centre, 1661 Harmony Rd. N.
Leisure Room and Oshawa Public Library - Delpark Homes Centre Branch

Registration is now closed - If you're still interested in participating, sign up for the general public online session happening on November 20.

Monday, October 27
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

South Oshawa Community Centre, 1455 Cedar St. S.
Meeting Room

Creative Cultural Industries are business sectors rooted in cultural and artistic activity, such as museums, heritage, film, music, publishing, design, digital media, and video games, that are involved in the production of culture.

This event will feature:

• A short film screening
• Beadwork on display

Registration is now closed - but its not too late to join the conversation! Sign up for the public online session happening on November 20.

Tuesday, October 28
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Canadian Tank Museum, 1000 Stevenson Rd. N.

Share your insights and help shape a Culture Plan that honours our past and protects our future.

While you're here, be sure to tour the Canadian Tank Museum!

Registration is now closed - but its not too late to join the conversation! Sign up for the public online session happening on November 20.

Thursday, October 30
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Bond|ST Event Centre, 44 Bond St. E.
Local Lounge

The evening will include a live musical performance, opportunities to network with fellow creatives, and a chance to share your ideas about the future of culture in Oshawa.

Help shape the next chapter of Oshawa’s cultural landscape by adding your voice to the conversation.

Registration is now closed - but its not too late to join the conversation! If you're still interested in participating, sign up for the general public online session happening on November 20.

Help guide the future of arts, heritage and cultural development in our community and you could win one of two exciting prize packs!

How to participate:

• Complete the online feedback form below.
• Prefer paper? Pick one up at Service Oshawa (50 Centre St. S.)
• Need support to participate? Email culturecounts@oshawa.ca with the subject line “Feedback Form Accommodation” and we’ll work with you to find an accessible way to share your thoughts.

Each prize pack includes:

• A $50 gift certificate to a downtown Oshawa restaurant; and
• A 3-month individual fitness membership to the City of Oshawa's recreation facilities!

Feedback form will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will be received until noon on Friday, December 5, 2025 and will be considered by the project team during as they develop the Culture Plan. Don’t miss your chance to help shape Oshawa’s cultural future — and win!

Learn more about the feedback form prize Terms and Conditions.

Culture lives in the places, stories, and experiences that shape our lives. The Culture Map invites you to mark where culture matters most to you - by placing a pin, naming the spot, and sharing why it's meaningful. Your input helps build a shared picture of Oshawa's cultural heartbeat.

Add your pin and share your voice.