Arts in the Parks Anyplace
Arts in the Parks events adjust to bring digital programming to communities
TORONTO, June 16, 2020 – Arts in the Parks Anyplace is proceeding for the summer of 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on large gatherings, Arts in the Parks remains committed to bringing great arts programming to Torontonians for free. With this new feature, called Arts in the Parks Anyplace, audiences will experience content from artists and program partners, including videos and workshops, from home. Many arts programs will maintain relationships with their park community offering preferred access to programming for local audiences and friends of the park.
Arts in the Parks is a city-wide Toronto Arts Foundation initiative, presented in partnership with Toronto Arts Council, the City of Toronto and Park People, that has been bringing arts to parks across Toronto every summer since 2016. The program was designed to increase access to the arts by bringing free programming to under-served neighbourhoods outside of the downtown core. In 2019, Arts in the Parks featured 290 events in 47 parks across the city, enjoyed by 174,700 people. Arts in the Parks is sponsored by proceeds from the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and in part, by TD Bank.
Arts in the Parks has always provided an opportunity for gathering and connection. Arts in the Parks staff are maintaining conversations with park communities as they seek creative solutions to present live events outdoors in our parks safely. Further, a public opinion survey to assess public attitudes to outdoor arts attendance was launched today. The goal is to bring live arts programming to Toronto parks later in the summer if it is safe and permitted to do so. However, although there is still uncertainty about how major events, including outdoor events, will move forward, Arts in the Parks remains a vital initiative for our city.
“One thing that hasn’t changed is our belief that Arts in the Parks will continue to be an important part of the recovery period of this pandemic: a free, accessible program that will bring neighbours and families together, led by our brilliant artists and cultural workers,” said Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. “In the interim, Arts in the Parks Anyplace aims to keep the momentum and goodwill of Arts in the Parks going.”
"Through the TD Ready Commitment, our global corporate citizenship platform, we are investing in opportunities that bring people together through arts and culture,” said Naki Osutei, Associate Vice President, Social Impact (Canada), Global Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. “We’re pleased that Toronto Arts Foundation has pivoted the Arts in the Parks programming with success to ensure people stay connected during the pandemic through the arts."
Featured online events and workshops are hosted on the Arts in the Parks website in a new section titled Arts in the Parks Anyplace.
Arts in the Parks Anyplace is part of a suite of COVID-19 Response Initiatives offered by Toronto Arts Foundation. To learn more about these initiatives, including response funds, workshops, research projects and more, please visit our website. Toronto Arts Foundation is seeking donations to maintain these vital initiatives that ensure Toronto’s artists, arts organizations and arts audiences receive support and encouragement in this difficult time.
In common with all Toronto Arts Foundation programming, Arts in the Parks was developed from an equity perspective to support and profile equity seeking artists and to bring access to programming to under-served neighbourhoods. Toronto Arts Foundation engages in active listening, frequent evaluation and an accessible and inclusive platform for discussion, collaboration and implementation.
To view the Arts in the Parks Anyplace trailer, click HERE.
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About Toronto Arts Foundation
Toronto Arts Foundation is a registered charity that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment. To learn more or to make a donation, visit torontoartsfoundation.org.
Contact information
For more information, please contact
Donations: Leslie Francombe, Philanthropy & Sponsorship Manager: leslie@torontoarts.org
Interviews: Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager: sarah@torontoarts.org