Destination Scarborough is a platform created by Scarborough Arts and Eat More Scarborough to to help showcase and promote Scarborough’s local restaurants through creative arts and cultural initiatives.

Eat More Scarborough has been running food tours across the community since 2018, while Scarborough Arts has supported and showcased Scarborough’s arts and culture sector since 1978. Together, Destination Scarborough serves as a love letter to the neighbourhoods, businesses, artists, and communities that make Scarborough unique.

The Destination Scarborough Culture & Cuisine Activation Program is a pilot initiative funded by the City of Toronto that supports creative projects connecting local restaurants, culture, and community experiences.

The program provides funding for organizations to develop innovative activations that attract residents and visitors while highlighting Scarborough's distinctive food and cultural identity.

The following organizations are eligible:

• Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)

• Chambers of Commerce

• Registered not-for-profit organizations

The organization must be based in Scarborough, with the impact of the project (event, activation, celebration) taking place in Scarborough as well.

Unfortunately, we can only accept activations that take place inside the former municipal boundaries of the City of Scarborough

To express interest and learn more about the program, please contact our Program Coordinator, Janet Song at janet@destinationscarborough.com.

Successful applicants may receive up to $10,000 to deliver an activation.

A total of 11 organizations will be selected to receive funding.

Projects may include initiatives such as:

• Public Art projects (e.g. window vinyls, small murals, window displays)

• Brand Enhancement through the arts (Food photography, commissioned illustration work, merchandise design)

• Cultural Celebrations

• Performances (Live Music, Dance, Theatre, Poetry, etc.)

• Art Activities for Patrons (Paint Night, Open Mic, Live Portraits, Sip & Draw, Social Dancing, etc.)

• Other cultural events or community activities that engage artists

Projects should promote Scarborough restaurants while integrating arts, culture, and community engagement.

Yes.

At least 20% of the activation budget must directly engage an artist or creative professional in the development and/or execution of the project.

Successful partners will be required to provide proof of payment as part of the program reporting process.

Yes.

Scarborough Arts can facilitate introductions and relationships between participating organizations and artists or creative professionals to support activation development.

Yes.

All funded activations are expected to be showcased through the Destination Scarborough platform to amplify their reach and celebrate project outcomes.

The program aims to:

• Build new partnerships across Scarborough

• Support local businesses and artists

• Encourage innovation and collaboration

• Create engaging cultural and food experiences

• Showcase the richness and diversity of Scarborough's communities

Proposal Period

• Applications Open: July 2026

• Application Deadline: July 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Selection & Onboarding

• July 27–31, 2026

• Successful applicants will be notified, onboarded, and receive funding.

Activation Period

• August 2026 – December 2026

• All funded activations must be completed by December 15, 2026.

Reporting & Evaluation

• December 2026 – January 2027

• Partners will submit documentation, complete post-program surveys, and report project outcomes.

As a part of this Activation Program, at least 20% of the proposed budget must be used towards the payment of an artist or artist team. Preferably from Scarborough or local to the GTA. 

Approved artist commissions include public artworks (window displays, murals, etc.), Brand Enhancement through the arts (food photography, commissioned illustrations, merchandise design), Cultural Celebrations, Performances, Art Activities for Patrons (paint nights, live portraits, sip and draws). Other proposed artist activations are welcome.

Yes. An information session will be held on Monday, July 6 at 11:00 AM to provide an overview of the Destination Scarborough Activation Program, including eligibility, application requirements, and project expectations.

The session will be recorded and made available for those who are unable to attend live.

Yes. Scarborough Arts is working in collaboration with Eat More Scarborough to develop a summer convening and celebration for Activation Program recipients.

This gathering will provide an opportunity for participants to connect, share ideas, and build relationships with other funded partners and local stakeholders.

Location and dates are currently to be confirmed (TBD).

No. As this is the pilot year, the program will reach out directly to experienced partners and will not be accepting any open applications from whom we have not contacted.

We will accept single events or single works or multiple/series based. We would in fact encourage more than one activation as it will provide opportunities for multiple experiences and the potential to attract more customers

We will be asking for data around numbers of attendees/customers, qualitative feedback from attendees/customers, qualitative feedback from restaurant owners/staff, rough sales figures before, during and after the activation. We will be sending a complete list of KPIs at the start of the project.

The Destination Scarborough Activation Program is funded by the City of Toronto and administered by Scarborough Arts.