Minto Cultural Roundtable
Minto Cultural Roundtable
The Minto Cultural Roundtable provides strategic direction and key decision-making on on-going cultural development and implements projects and tasks related to the Cultural Plan.
Principles that guide the work of the Cultural Roundtable include:
- Inclusive engagement – engaging citizens in ways that cross boundaries and builds shared understanding and empathy.
- Valuing grassroots – celebrating the energy and capacity of the community at the grassroots level.
- Emergence and purpose – balancing a commitment to dialogue that generates new understandings and builds relationships, with advancing concrete plans and actions.
- Asset Based Approach - appreciating and mobilizing individual and community talents, skills and assets (rather than focusing on problems and needs).
The mandate of the Minto Cultural Roundtable is to give guidance and input related to culture and to implement the Cultural Plan for Minto
It does this by:
- Supporting community-led solutions to issues identified by the Roundtable or the community at large.
- Encouraging leadership and innovation.
- Facilitating networking and information exchange.
- Serving as a sounding board for ideas and actions.
- Reviewing policies related to culture.
- Supporting the integration of cultural development plans into related Town plans
(i.e. Official Plan and Strategic Plan)
The Minto Cultural Roundtable shall consist of 15 - 17 members appointed by Resolution of Council. This membership shall be comprised of:
- Two members of Council
- One member appointed by the Minto Arts Council
- One member appointed by the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild and/or the Norgan Theatre Board
- One member appointed by the Harriston Historical Society and/or the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum.
- One member appointed by the Harriston-Minto and/or the Palmerston Agricultural Society and/or the Minto Farmers’ Market
- One member appointed by the Minto Chamber of Commerce
- One member representing the County of Wellington Museum, Archives and Libraries
- One member representing Youth (Age 15 – 24)
- One member representing Seniors (55+)
- One member representing the education system
- Four to Seven members of the public (preference will be given to cultural representatives)
Staff Resources:
- Director of Economic & Community Development
- Marketing & Community Development Coordinator
- Treasurer
- Community Services Representative (as needed)
Other Resources:
- Ministry of Tourism & Culture Regional Advisor
Sub-Committees
- Palmerston Railway Heritage Committee
- Minto Farmers' Market Committee
- Culture Days Working Group
Event Development Funding
Does your community organization host events? If so, you may be eligible for additional funding from the Town of Minto and Minto's Cultural Roundtable.
Community Development Fund
The Community Development Fund provides funding aimed at enabling local community groups and organizations to plan, develop and implement new community development-based projects and events or special one-time events (Homecomings, Reunions, and Anniversaries). The project should meet local needs and involve and empower local people.
This fund provides an opportunity to do more than just financially support a project or group and is intended to facilitate the provision of ongoing benefits to the community.
Funding: Funding will be made available through the Community Development Fund to eligible organizations through a competitive process. The total amount available for each year is limited at $2,000 and is dependent on budget approval. Applications up to and including $1,000 will be accepted for events and projects related to economic activities, sports and recreation, arts and culture.
Eligibility: Not-for-profit community organizations may apply for funding to deliver events and projects in Minto. Projects that require on-going funding will not be considered.
Cultural Enhancement Grant
The Cultural Enhancement Grant was created by the Minto Cultural Roundtable to provide funding aimed at enabling local community groups and organizations to add cultural elements to new or existing events.
Examples of Cultural Elements include:
- Art
- Dance
- Theatre
- Spoken Word – Poetry
- Photography & Film
- Music
Funding: Funding will be made available through the Cultural Enhancement Grant to eligible organizations through a competitive process. The total amount available for each year is limited at $1,000 and dependent on budget approval. Applications up to $500 will be accepted for events looking to add culture to their existing or new events.
Eligibility: Not-for-profit community organizations may apply for funding to deliver events in Minto.
Culture Days Micro-Grants
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of free participatory arts and culture events across the country both in-person and online. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities.
The next national Culture Days celebration will take place September 18th through October 4th, 2026, for two weeks of colour, creativity, and community. The Cultural Roundtable is offering up to $200.00 grants for any community organizations, artists, or businesses to participate by running and organizing their own event during Culture Days 2026. Microgrant funding submissions must be received no later than July 2nd, 2026.
Apply for funding with the form below.
Where Food Meets Kindness
A collaborative initiative between the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Minto Pride, and Clifford Connects Committees.
On Saturday, July 13th, 2024, the Town of Minto unveiled it's new Community Food Share Pantry, located in Clifford Rotary Celebration Square. This project aims to address food insecurity in our local area, and supplement the incredible efforts of our food banks. It does not act as a replacement for a Food Bank, but instead will help those who need to fill the gap between visits.
The pantry operates on a Leave What You Can, Take What You Need policy, where the community comes together to support each other. Everyone is welcome to give or take 24/7, no questions asked.
This project is dedicated in the memory of the late Michael Martin who spearheaded the pantry with his passion and commitment to ensuring food security for all Minto residents.
How it works:
Anyone can donate to the pantry 24/7. We ask that all items are non-perishable. Items to donate include: dried or canned beans, nut butters, dried or canned fruits and vegetables, canned fish & chicken, nuts & seeds, jerky, honey, syrup, granola & protein bars, dried or canned soup, freeze dried meals, noodles, crackers, jams & jellies, powdered milk, cereal, and bottled water.
What are currently seeking volunteers who can keep an eye on the pantry to ensure the food items are safe to consume. Before consuming food on the pantry, please thoroughly inspect the item.
If you notice an issue or are interested in volunteering, please contact Belinda Wick Graham at 519-338-2511 ext. 241 or belinda@town.minto.on.ca
The Artwork
The Artwork on the Pantry, sponsored by Minto Pride and Clifford Connects, was completed by local Norwell DSS student Shayne Lamont.
A message from Shayne:
"For the project of creating a piece of art to complement the new Clifford food pantry, I initially was inspired by the magical ability Food has, bringing people together and creating a sense of community. No matter our differences as people, everyone eats. It’s the one universal thing which all humans have in common and can relate to. I wanted to display the loving and wholesome environment created from sharing food with one another. In my drafts for this piece, I have assembled people from all walks of life gathering and bonding over a meal. To show that our differences become obsolete when faced with the common interest of nutrition and hunger satisfaction. Every little part of the potential peace will represent diversity. From the butterflies with pride flags on their wings, to the different types of food belonging to multiple cultures, and much more. I want the piece to truly celebrate the notion that everyone belongs, especially in the world of food. There are also many specific details spread throughout the art which are specific to the township of Minto and Canada. All four of the compositions have landmarks representing Clifford, Harrison, and Palmerston. (The Clifford water tower, Downtown Harrison, and the Palmerston Bridge) -The fourth one represents Minto as a whole. Over all showing appreciation for the rural environment, farming industry, and historical sites which are apart of the Minto township. One of the main components of the whole design is the food rainbow inspired by the past Canadian food guide. This is not only important for connecting the four pictures to each other and keeping the flow of the art alive, but it also complements the characters as they interact with the food. Helping to support the idea of the food pantry as a welcoming experience." ~Shayne Lamont, 2024
