Government of Canada supports Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism in Toronto

Parliamentary Secretary Madeleine Chenette announces funding for the Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism in Toronto.

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- Across the country, cultural spaces bring people together; strengthen communities; and give Canadian artists the space they need to connect, create and tell our stories. By investing in accessible, inclusive and modern cultural facilities, we help ensure that everyone can participate in Canada's vibrant cultural life.

Today, Madeleine Chenette, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced $1.14 million in funding for the Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism in Toronto. She made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.

The funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will support renovations that make the Centre more accessible for all. The project includes the installation of an accessible ramp and code-compliant doors, as well as repairs to their building envelope, roof, elevator and HVAC system.

Wildseed creates a space where Black artists and communities can come together, share their stories, learn from one another and build meaningful connections. This investment will strengthen its cultural facilities and help Wildseed continue its important work to address anti-Black racism and foster a more inclusive community.

By supporting spaces like Wildseed, we are building a stronger Canada--one where diversity can thrive, artists and communities can come together, and we can celebrate what unites us.

Quotes

"Investing in the Wildseed Centre means investing in Black artists, communities, and a space where people can come together, create and share their stories. By making the Centre more accessible and improving its facilities, we are contributing to a strong cultural life in Toronto and across Canada, while supporting Wildseed's important work to address anti-Black racism and foster inclusion."

--The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

"The Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism nurtures the creative expression of artists from diverse backgrounds. Our government values diversity and creativity, and this investment will further support the development of artistic expression driven by Black communities. Moreover, it will provide an opportunity to all Canadians to better appreciate the richness of our arts and cultural heritage, which is an essential part of our shared identity."

--Madeleine Chenette, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Sport)

"Nestled in the heart of the historic neighborhood of The Black Grange, the Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism, a vessel that seeks to nurture Black Creativity and experimentation, stands tall. At 10,000 square feet, this historic building and hub for art and activism birthed by Black Lives Matter artivists, whose hope of building an enduring space that cultivates transformative and radical ideas announces, and with deep gratitude funding awarded to our organization from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. With this support, we can continue to provide this incredible incubator, this container, this space that holds dreams and helps them flourish, into several generations into the future. We look forward to celebrating this announcement with Parliamentary Secretary Madeline Chenette and MP Martin."

--Ravyn Wngz, Interim Executive Director of programming and Co-founder of Black Lives Matter - Canada and the Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism

Quick Facts

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund helps improve the conditions that support innovation in the arts, heritage and creative communities. The Fund supports renovation projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment, and the planning and design of feasibility studies related to arts and heritage cultural spaces.

The Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism, legally registered as M4BJ, is the arts facility division of Black Lives Matter Canada and is a non–profit organization operating since 2018 in Toronto. Their mandate is to address societal anti–Black racism by supporting and cultivating creative and professional artistic experimentation led by Black community members in an affirming creation space.

Associated Links

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Hermine Landry, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, [email protected]