Intangible cultural heritage includes living expressions of our identity passed from generation to generation, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts. This intangible heritage is important in maintaining the diversity of our communities and building intercultural dialogue and understanding. The significance of intangible cultural heritage – and its inextricable link to tangible heritage – is increasingly being recognized.

The Ontario Heritage Trust supports the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage through a range of programs and initiatives:

• Heritage Matters e-magazine (see stories about intangible heritage, Francophone heritage, sport heritage and arts and creativity)
• Symposium on Intangible Cultural Heritage, November 22, 2017 (see our Facebook photo album from this event)
• Lecture on Intangible Cultural Heritage by Dr. Wade Davis, December 7, 2017
• Doors Open Ontario
• MyOntario - A vision over time
• Interviews with traditional knowledge keepers
• Doris McCarthy Artist in Residence Centre
• Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres
• Emancipation Day at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
• Provincial plaques (see The Anishinaabeg at Lake of Bays, Sexual Diversity Activism at the University of Toronto, Jean Lumb, C.M., 1919-2002, Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site, The Flying Frenchmen and Chief Francis Pegahmagabow, 1889-1952), explore the Plaque database for other examples, or visit our Facebook page for photo albums from past plaque unveiling events)
• Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards