​Brampton, ON – Oct. 4, 2022 – The City of Brampton is proud to announce the evolution of its arts and culture sector with the arrival of the Brampton Arts Organization (BAO). Formerly The Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency (ACCIDA), BAO will offer resources and programming support to continue building a thriving, valued creative scene and cultural ecology in the heart of one of Canada’s biggest, most diverse cities.

As a part of the relaunch, BAO has assembled an impressive roster of Ambassador partners from Brampton for its inaugural Ambassador program, including poet Rupi Kaur, filmmaker Director X and hiphop artist Haviah Mighty, who will engage with the emerging artist community and provide a blueprint for achievable success.

To celebrate, BAO will host a public kick-off event at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 at the spectacular Springdale Library (10705 Bramalea Rd.). Director X and R&B artist Zenesoul will lead a ‘meditate and create’ workshop with guests, alongside live painting by Abiola Idowu and Robyn Lightwalker, performances from talented local artists including Nicole Chambers, Kwasi Obeng and MixTapper, and snacks showcasing Brampton’s diverse culinary scene.

All are welcome to attend, while pre-registration is required to be entered into the draw for the Meditate and Create workshop (limited capacity).

“I grew up in Brampton and it's where my love for poetry and performance began. I grew up organizing open mics and art exhibits here, and that's why this position and organization mean so much to me,” said Rupi Kaur, poet and Brampton native. “We can all be doing more to uplift the local arts and culture sector, and we need to start at the grassroots level - Brampton artists are amazing.” 
 
Other inaugural Ambassadors include filmmaker Sasha Leigh Henry, producer David Phillips, visual artist Russna Kaur, creative director Kiran Rai, and artist and author Theodore Walker Robinson.

“I want to support what BAO has got going on, spread the importance and the need of the arts to the youth - and, to us grown folks,” said Julien Christian Lutz (Director X). “Check out their events and their workshops, there are some amazing things they are doing. The arts are a viable thing for us, it will send our kids on the right path.” 
 
 “I’d like to congratulate the Brampton Arts Organization on their official rebrand and launch. They continue to be an important partner in connecting with and supporting Brampton’s vibrant and diverse arts community,” said Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton. “Brampton is a mosaic filled with opportunities, and the Brampton Arts Organization will be instrumental in continuing to develop our city into an arts and cultural hub.”

Brampton City Council has played a critical role in strengthening the arts as an economic driver and transforming Brampton’s cultural environment into a thriving arts scene. The organization is already having a significant impact - in its initial start-up phase, it has provided dozens of workshops and programs to thousands of local artists, and contributed $150,000 through a unique COVID-19 recovery program to 75 local artists, musicians and performers alongside the City of Brampton. BAO will become fully independent from the city in 2024, an important step in ensuring that Brampton’s creative scene continues to thrive and grow.

The City enlisted award-winning design studio Blok Design to create BAO’s striking visual identity. Working closely with the organization, Blok created a distinctive new brand to reflect the high calibre of arts and culture coming out of the city, as well as resonate and engage residents to encourage attendance at the many workshops, programs and events that BAO will host. 
 
 “We can’t wait to share the vision for the newly minted Brampton Arts Organization with everyone on October 21. Creatives are the heart of our city and we want everyone to proudly claim Brampton as their hometown,” says Councillor Rowena Santos, Council Representative on the BAO Advisory Panel. “BAO will continue to act as an incubator for our creative community, champion and advocate for our artists, and shine a spotlight on the people making this place so special.”
 
www.bramptonartsorg.ca
Instagram: @baobrampton
Twitter: @baobrampton
Facebook: @baobrampton

For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Abigail Van Den Broek                                              
abby@abigailv.ca                                  
416.799.8510

About Brampton Arts Organization:
BAO champions Brampton's diverse creative community and advocates for the city's creatives. BAO aims to build a thriving, confident, and valued creative scene and cultural ecology in the heart of Brampton. In this, BAO is a key partner in fulfilling the City’s strategic vision and Culture Master Plan.

About the City of Brampton:
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable, and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca