Arts in the Parks Initiative Announced by Mayor Tory

June 29, 2015: Mayor John Tory has announced that Councillor John Filion will be his new Advocate for the Arts. In addition he announced the launch of a new Arts in the Parks program being developed by Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation.

Flanked by Councillors John Filion, Gary Crawford and Pam McConnell, and by Claire Hopkinson, Director and CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Foundation,  Mayor Tory held a press conference at noon yesterday in St. James Park. 

“Toronto has a diverse and much celebrated arts scene and I am confident that Councillor Filion will be an active voice for the arts at Toronto City Hall,” said Mayor Tory. “As mayor, I am committed to growing partnerships between the City and the creative sector that promote artistic growth and ultimately enhance the quality of life for Torontonians.”

Mayor Tory also announced that some of the proceeds from the upcoming Mayor's Evening for the Arts will be directed to the new Arts in the Parks program.  The Mayor's News Release can be found here.

Claire Hopkinson applauded the announcement of Councillor Filion as Arts Advocate.  "Councillor Filion has been a great friend of the arts in Toronto and I know that in his new position as Advocate he will be very effective at moving programs from ideas into action".

Arts in the Parks is a new initiative of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation being developed in partnership with Park People, City Arts & Culture Services and City Parks.  The objectives of the new program include:

• Increase public use of parks
• Increase vibrancy of communities, particularly those in under-served neighbourhoods
• Create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience high quality arts events
• Increase funding available to artists for public programming

Details of the program will be posted on both the Toronto Arts Council and Foundation web pages.