The Town of Midland, a municipality with a population of 18,000, is located on the shores of Georgian Bay. The Town’s current Municipal Cultural Plan was adopted in March 2014 and the municipality is looking to update this plan to guide future initiatives and activities undertaken by the Culture and Tourism Division. The updated plan should review the past guiding principles, what has been achieved in the past 12 years, and reflect the future vision of residents and Council. The success of this project will an actionable, realistic, and affordable plan that references Midland’s culture, heritage and history and provides a guiding vision for how culture is celebrated, promoted and integrated into the Midland community. 

From 2014 to Summer 2019, there was a Culture Midland committee with dedicated staff who implemented the original Municipal Cultural Plan. From Fall 2019 to Spring 2025, the Town of Midland, along with the Town of Penetanguishene, Townships of Tay and Tiny and Beausoleil First Nation, created a joint culture committee, known as the Culture Alliance. The Culture Alliance was supported by Town of Midland staff who developed and led all the Culture Alliance’s projects. With the Culture Alliance dissolving in early 2025, the Town of Midland Staff is once again leading its own cultural programs and activities, and the updated Municipal Cultural Plan will guide future initiatives and priorities.

Cultural assets include the Midland Cultural Centre, Midland Public Library, Huronia Museum, Huronia Players, Quest Art School + Gallery, among others, as well as historical attractions such as Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons which is located within Tay Township, right on the municipal border with Midland. 

The Town of Midland has been investing heavily in public art procurement since 2020, particularly with commissioning new murals and restoring historical murals. 

The Town also manages a Cultural Asset Map and Database which includes 700 listed assets including cultural organizations, heritage sites, public art works, as well as stories and folklore within North Simcoe. There is a desire to make this map and database more user-friendly and a reference tool for individuals, local historians as well as students and teachers.

In Spring 2026 Town will be implementing a five-year Tourism Strategy. While Tourism and Culture are distinct, there are common synergies and Tourism is one of the Town’s economic pillars.