Ontario Arts Council’s Major Organizations Category now includes the University of Toronto Press

The designation recognizes UTP’s significant contribution to Canadian arts and culture

TORONTO--()--University of Toronto Press (UTP), Canada’s largest university press and leading academic publisher, has been designated a Major Organization by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), in recognition of its significant contribution to Canadian culture and economic impact. In this category, UTP is now one of a group of twelve organizations including, among several others, the National Ballet of Canada, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and most recently the Aga Khan Museum.

The OAC made the announcement at an event at the Aga Khan Museum featuring the Honourable Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, in conversation with OAC chair, Simon Foster. Minister Cho and Mr. Foster shared preliminary results from the OAC’s Arts Across Ontario report, detailing how organizations supported by the OAC contribute $1 billion annually to Ontario’s gross domestic product; as detailed in the report, for every $1 OAC invests, $25 is generated in other sources of revenue.

“As the newest member in the OAC’s major organization category, UTP is proud of its role in both the creation and the dissemination of informed and creative content,” says Jessica Mosher, President, Publisher and CEO of UTP. “The support from the OAC helps to ensure diverse voices and stories reach a wide audience. Last year alone, over 4 million books were distributed from UTP’s warehouse, including academic research, educational content, works of fiction, graphic novels, scripts, plays, music and journals.”

Through its publishing arm, UTP produces 80 journals, including the Canadian Theatre Review, and publishes 250 new scholarly, course, and general interest books annually. UTP also delivers cornerstone works of Canadian culture as the distribution partner for over 200 publishers. Many of these publishers produce works in literature, poetry, theatre, film, visual arts, and indigenous and multicultural studies, representing beloved Canadian classics, Governor General’s Literary Awards winners, Canada Reads finalists, and Giller Prize finalists.

“The Major designation and grants are awarded to organizations that not only support the careers of artists and arts workers, but also provide positive net investment for a strong provincial economy and improve the quality of life of Ontarians,” says Michael Murray, CEO of the OAC. “We are proud to recognize the integral role UTP plays in supporting the creation of Canadian arts and culture and increasing access at home and abroad.”

For more than 60 years, the OAC has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians. In 2023-24, the OAC invested its grant program budget of $53.3 million in 219 communities across all 124 Ontario ridings, providing 2,149 grants to individual artists and 1,043 grants to organizations.

About the Ontario Arts Council

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is Ontario’s primary funding body for the arts. Since 1963, the OAC has fostered the creation, production, and presentation of art for the benefit of all Ontarians. Through its grant programs and services, the OAC supports professional artists and arts organizations across the province, enriching the lives of Ontario’s residents and strengthening the social, cultural, and economic vitality of our communities.

About the University of Toronto Press

The University of Toronto Press (UTP) is one of the largest university presses in North America, publishing landmark scholarship since 1901. Each year UTP releases 80 journals and over 250 new scholarly, course, and general interest books in print, e-book, and audio format. In addition, UTP manages the distribution for over 200 publishers and imprints in Canada, the US, and around the world, with warehouses in Ontario and New York. UTP also runs the University of Toronto Bookstores across the three main campuses, serving over 95,000 students and 15,000 faculty. For more information, please visit https://utorontopress.com/.

Contacts

MEDIA
Anne-Marie Tremble, Account Manager, Talk Shop Media
annemarie@talkshopmedia.com | 613-914-3551

Release Summary

UTP has been designated a Major Organization by the OAC, in recognition of its significant contribution to Canadian culture and economic impact.

Contacts

MEDIA
Anne-Marie Tremble, Account Manager, Talk Shop Media
annemarie@talkshopmedia.com | 613-914-3551