The Italian Cultural Institute, Cultural Section of the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto, was founded in 1976. It is located in a fine historical building owned by the Italian State in the area close to the University of Toronto campus. The Institute is a cultural and academic centre, a school of Italian language and culture, a source of information on contemporary Italy, its regions, local territorial activities and its vast cultural heritage. The Institute has an Italian library and video library, while the gallery organizes art exhibitions, conferences and multimedia screenings.
The Institute forms relations to facilitate cultural exchanges for Italian operators and promotes the establishment of artistic, theatrical, musical and cinematographic collaborations between Italy and Canada. The Institute offers information and logistical support to the Italian and foreign public, to Italian and Canadian academics, researchers and scholars and private operators engaged in Italian-related cultural events in Canada. The Institute promotes all initiatives that foster intercultural and multilateral dialogue based on the principles of equality, democracy and international solidarity. The Institute is often involved in events jointly organized with other Canadian cultural departments belonging to the European Union.