Toronto Arts Foundation Shines A Spotlight On The Finalists For The Inaugural TD Arts Diversity Award

September 18, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto Arts Foundation Shines A Spotlight On The Finalists For The Inaugural TD Arts Diversity Award

TORONTO - Toronto Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the Finalists for the inaugural Neighbourhood Arts Network TD Arts Diversity Award, one of the outstanding new Vision Awards of Toronto Arts Foundation. Administered by the Neighbourhood Arts Network, and initiated by Toronto’s DiverseCity Fellows: Melanie Smith and Saumya Gautam, this $5,000 cash award celebrates an arts organization that has made a significant contribution to the arts by working collaboratively with culturally diverse communities, and promoting access to the arts for youth and community groups throughout the City of Toronto.

The six Finalists for this year’s award are:

Jumblies Theatre
Jumblies Theatre combines high calibre art with a philosophy of social inclusion, challenging race, faith, and class-based fears and misconceptions, building inter-cultural understanding and connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and enabling those facing barriers to participate in society to develop confidence and transferable skills.

Nia Centre
Founded in 2009, Nia Centre for the Arts is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization focused on the development of young people through culturally relevant arts experiences. “Nia” is a Kiswahili word meaning “purpose”, and the organization focuses on supporting young people in finding their purpose.

Mammalian Diving Reflex
Mammalian Diving Reflex is a Toronto-based non-profit charity and performance Company that creates community-based events that are free and open to the public in Toronto, in Canada, and around the world. Mammalian Diving Reflex offers personal experiences that invite positive social change and prove the power and generosity of the social sphere.

Arts for Children and Youth
Arts for Children and Youth engages young people living in Toronto's priority neigbourhoods in high quality and accessible arts educational programs that are meaningful, relevant and collaboratively developed with community and education partners.

Red Slam Collective
Red Slam is an indigenous hip hop fusion arts movement formed in 2009 and based in Toronto. This Collective engages children and youth; along with intergenerational native and non-native communities from coast to coast.

Kaeja d’Dance
Established in 1991, Kaeja d'Dance creates award winning contemporary dance performances, site specific works with large numbers of dancers, community-based and relational dance projects, dance films and educational outreach programs.

“The Finalists for this year’s TD Arts Diversity Award are exceptional, and are amongst the most important community arts organizations in the city.” said Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Foundation. “Toronto Arts Foundation is absolutely thrilled to turn up the spotlight on these very deserving organizations for their work building a more vibrant and creative Toronto.”

The winner of the Neighbourhood Arts Network TD Arts Diversity Award will be announced on September 21, 2013 as part of the Manifesto Art Show & 3rd Annual Floor Awards. The event starts at 7pm and takes place at 918 Bathurst Street. Tickets are PWYC and are available at the door.

The Toronto Arts Foundation

The Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that 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

The Neighbourhood Arts Network

The Neighbourhood Arts Network is a strategic initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation. With over 1,000 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. For more information please visit: www.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org. 

TD Community Giving 
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2012, TD donated over $65 million to support 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.

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Contact: Jennifer Green, Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives, Toronto Arts Foundation jennifer@torontoarts.org416 392 6802 x207