Announcing the Finalists for the 2016 TD Arts Diversity Award
Toronto Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2016 TD Arts Diversity Award, administered by Neighbourhood Arts Network.
This $10,000 cash prize celebrates arts organizations making a significant contribution by working collaboratively with culturally diverse communities, youth and community groups on arts projects or programs in Toronto.
The finalists for this year’s award are:
The Art Gallery of York University (AGYU)
Founded in 1999, AGYU believes that an art gallery should serve an aesthetic and social function and should be fluid and flexible – transforming itself through engagement with artists, communities, and the world as it changes. AGYU actively supports under-serviced communities, youth, immigrants, LGBTQ+, disability communities, diasporic communities, and Indigenous communities in all aspects of their programming.
imagineNATIVE
Founded in 1998, imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. It is recognized internationally for excellence and innovation in programming and as the global centre for Indigenous media arts. imagineNATIVE is committed to public education and strives to dispel stereotypical notions of Indigenous peoples through diverse media presentations within communities.
Regent Park Film Festival
Regent Park Film Festival is Toronto’s only free community film festival, dedicated to showcasing works relevant to inner city and inner suburban communities across the city of Toronto. Founded in 2003, RPFF organizes an annual festival along with year-round school community screenings and workshops. Their work is based on the idea that everyone deserves safe affordable housing, healthcare, healthy food AND access to stories that open up possibilities.
Remix Project
The Remix Project was founded in 2006 and aims to help level the playing field for young artists from underserved communities across the GTA. Remix is committed to providing free, high quality, creative programming for young people in order to help them develop their artistic skills within a creative community that also supports their personal development.
UforChange
Founded in 2006, UforChange is a hub where creativity comes to life by offering young people the opportunity to pursue their creative passions with a spectrum of arts programs, from DJing to fashion to film. UforChange welcomes radicalized, LGBTQ+, newcomer, underserved youth, or young people who are otherwise under-resourced. The program is designed to encourage young people to create meaningful peer connections and develop an understanding and respect for the diverse cultures and faiths of the participants, establish networks, build skills, find confidence, formulate a plan and feel part of a supportive community.
The recipient of the award will be announced in September.
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For more information on this award, visit www.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org
Neigbourhood Arts Network
Neighbourhood Arts Network is a strategic initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation. With over 1,500 members to date, we create online resources, partnerships and professional development events that help community engaged artists and organizations do what they do best: enrich Toronto and transform it into a more vibrant and livable city.
About Toronto Arts Foundation
Toronto Arts Foundation, a charitable organization, provides the opportunity for individuals, private and public foundations, corporations and government agencies to invest in and strengthen the arts in Toronto. We are powered by a vision: Creative City: Block by Block, a commitment to connect every Toronto neighbourhood to the transformative social and economic benefits of the arts. Through sponsorships, legacy gifts and donations to our Creative City Funds, Toronto Arts Foundation gives voice to the arts, shines the spotlight on Toronto’s exceptional talent, and connects communities to the arts. To learn more about the Toronto Arts Foundation, please visit our website at www.torontoartsfoundation.org.
About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its customers and employees live and work. In 2015, TD donated more than $92.5 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.
Contact Information:
For more information about Toronto Arts Foundation, please contact:
Francesca Perez, Community Investment Manager, Toronto Arts Foundation, at francesca@torontoarts.org or at 416-392-6802 x 204.