The Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council in partnership with the
City of Hamilton, the Grimsby 1812 Bicentennial Committee and representatives from Six Nations hosted the Creating 1812: Commemoration, National Identity and Role of the Arts symposium on April 23rd and 24th, 2010 in Hamilton. The symposium intended to start the conversation amongst cultural workers of integrating the arts - whether that be visual arts, drama, monuments, landscapes, etc - into War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration planning.

Keynote speaker R.H. Thomson and the premiere viewing of the "Warships Down" television show featuring War of 1812 shipwrecks the "Hamilton" and the "Scourge" opened the symposium. Workshop speakers highlighted bicentennial projects being developed by arts and heritage organizations on both sides of the border. A list of symposium speakers and topics is available from the Niagara Legacy Council by contacting admin@discover1812.com or visit the Discover 1812 website for information on future events being held - http://www.discover1812.com/