The centre of the universe? Globalization and cultural policy in Toronto

In light of some of the dominant changes in the shift from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, the arts and cultural industries are gaining an increased policy presence. Richard Florida's argument that a vibrant arts scene and cosmopolitan cultural life attracts highly educated knowledge workers to a city holds influence in economic and cultural policy making circles alike.;The overarching goals of this thesis are to identify the assumptions inherent in envisioning Toronto as an international cultural capital, and to examine tensions arising from competing forms of this vision. Emergent themes characterizing Toronto's cultural policy include the economic uses of culture and Toronto's unique diversity. The primary tension lies between the marketing of diversity to further Toronto's identity as a global city, and the rising ethno-racial and socio-economic inequity resulting precisely from the City's part in the processes of globalization.;The argument this thesis makes is threefold. Firstly, urban cultural policy is emerging as a form of cultural policy which places the value of culture primarily in the economic sphere. Secondly, this means of valuing culture is successful in placing culture on the civic agenda as essential for urban development within a larger economy. Thirdly, as evidenced by the treatment of diversity within the Culture Plan, this shift towards economic rationales is consistent with the prevailing ideology of globalization, but fails to address issues of cultural development and social cohesion resulting from these same global processes. In conclusion, the thesis argues for reconsidering other models of cultural policy for ways to resolve the tension critiqued here between economic and social development.;This thesis examines the deployment of this argument through a study of cultural policy-making in Toronto. Literature review, cultural policy analysis, and in-depth interviews with relevant policy makers are used to examine The Culture Plan: for the Creative City, a 2003 planning document by City of Toronto's Culture Division. The Plan outlines Toronto's ten-year plan to become an "international cultural capital" through increased arts and cultural funding and strategic direction of these funds.