Placemaking in Mississauga, Canada

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PPS is working with the the City of Mississauga in an ongoing effort to create a vital downtown core. As we’ve spoken to and trained the people who work for the city, we’ve found they really understand public spaces and embrace the need for Placemaking.

PPS prepared a report for the first phase of this project in Mississauga (which is located outside of Toronto), and this article in Novae Rea Urbis describes the project’s goals.

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  • Christine Montague

    Room for artists in placemaking in Mississauga?
    As a Mississauga resident of 13 years, one thoroughly discourged by what my city as a “place” had to offer me, imagine my surprise, when I heard Fred Kent, site my city, as an example of a city he is working with. As I am professional artist who grew up in Montreal, and have lived in downtown Toronto, the Toronto beach area and in the older part of Brampton, I agree with everything said about Missisauga in the Placemaking Phase I report. As a parent and a homeowner, who wanted more opportunity and involvent for my children in their city than to shop at Square One, there is a lot I could say to reinforce any conclusions drawn in the report. But I will speak as an artist (painter) . Three years ago, I was invited by a friend to help set up an artist co-operative , Beaux-Arts Brampton, in Brampton’s downtown core. This co-op is a wonderful success story of open painters studios (it is not wired for pottery, glass blowing etc) , gallery and workshop. The artist run gallery, with its welcoming shows and openings and message that art is to be enjoyed for everyone and not for the elite resulted in 7000 vistors last year alone- with no advertising budget! The building that was offered to the artists 3 years ago, was meant to be torn down as it was on the grounds of their version of “The Living Arts Centre” .However, the co-op has become so beloved and appreciated by the city – a city known as a working class sports town- that now the mayor is examining ways to not only keep it but expand it!. By the way Beaux-Arts Brampton not only promotes its local artists, has kick started many an artists career , but is also involved with their farmers market by keeping market hours and serving an english tea in the gallery. Imagine such a centre for the area you are examining. As beautiful as the living arts centre is – it offers highly expensive equipment and space to to the smallest HANDFUL of artisans and children.- in fact this select few then get a gallery- space paid for by the city and volunteers to sell their ware. The work does not reflect the diversity or the multiculture element of Mississauga artists. The gift store does not open to the street. The art gallery is totally inaccessible on the 2nd floor and closed on most occassions. So imagine a people friendly gallery- with every type of show- doorfront to the street, places to watch artist paint, sculptors carve, places to chat with the artist, bring the children, learn to value one’s city artists. After maintaining a studio at this Beaux-Arts Brampton for two years I have nothing but high regard for the artists and the city that supported it. Presently I am in similar space at the much respected and loved “The Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre” -in a small Ontario town called Glen Williams. How wonderful it would be if my own city could recognise the value of such a space and that done correctly such a space would bring its citizens to its downtown. That artist such as myself could make some sort of contribution to my own city.