Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation Appoint New Directors
2019 Annual Reports Now Available
TORONTO, June 18, 2020 – Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation hosted their Annual General Meetings last night, June 17, 2020, via Zoom.
In her remarks, Director & CEO Claire Hopkinson reflected on TAC’s time honoured system of awarding City funding through an arms length process of peer adjudication. TAC gives voice to the community through a continual renewal of its Board of Directors whose composition comprises over 50% artists and arts workers, joined by arts supporters and city leaders. This system, she noted, is fundamental to the responsive nature of TAC in times of challenges and societal change.
Outgoing Toronto Arts Council Board Chair Susan Crocker spoke of her ten years of service for the organizations as Chair of Toronto Arts Foundation, and most recently, Chair of Toronto Arts Council. She remarked that TAC is a catalyst for increased innovation in the sector, particularly through the development of new programs, such as the Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship program. She particularly noted TAC’s equity policies and practices, formalized with the adoption of the TAC Equity Framework in 2017; “This is where we came truly back to our core values and moved to change and improve everything we do for the better,” she said. Crocker also welcomed incoming TAC Chair Dina Graser, stating: “In Dina, we have a very strong leader.” In addition, she thanked outgoing TAC board members Cara Eastcott, Richard Lee, Anthony Sargent, Andrew Walker, Jesse Wente and Alissa York.
Toronto Arts Council Board President Gaëtane Verna thanked Susan Crocker for her work and dedication over her four years as TAC Chair. She reflected on TAC’s ability to adapt to the needs of the arts community, and to serve as a catalyst through its funding. “TAC is always thinking of how to make the life of artists easier, how we can be a catalyst for artists, and how we can support them at all times,” yet much more work needs to be done to serve this goal, she said. “A city without art is really a city without soul. The work that TAC does is really key in us being able to provide this service to Torontonians,” she remarked.
Toronto Arts Foundation Board Vice-Chair Richard Paquet spoke about the accomplishments of the Foundation in 2019, including another successful Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and its pervasive Arts in the Parks program. He highlighted the role of the Foundation in quickly raising donations that helped to support 982 artists through the TOArtist COVID-19 Response Fund. Paquet thanked outgoing board members Andrew Walker, Dilshad Hassen and Andréa Callà for their work, and welcomed incoming directors to the organization.
Producer, Playwright and Spoken Word Artist Luke Reece performed a new piece of poetry for those in attendance, which highlighted the resilience of artists, their ability to adapt and their important role in documenting and sharing stories for future generations.
Directors appointed to Toronto Arts Council at the AGM include Maxine Bailey, Roland Gulliver, Victoria Mata, Michael Sinclair, Celia Smith, Catherine Tammaro and Susan Wortzman. Click HERE to read their bios.
Toronto Arts Foundation welcomed new Directors Mark Cote and Susan Wortzman. Click HERE to read their bios.
Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation also unveiled their 2019 Annual Reports, documents that highlight the impact of the two organizations over the last year.
To view Toronto Arts Council’s 2019 Annual Report, click HERE.
To view Toronto Arts Foundation’s 2019 Annual Report, click HERE.
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About Toronto Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is the City of Toronto’s funding body for artists and arts organizations. Since 1974, TAC has played a major role in the city’s cultural industries by supporting a very broad range of artistic activity. From the emerging artist to the most established, from celebrated institutions to arts that challenge convention, TAC is typically the first funder to offer support. Today, TAC grants lead to exhibitions, performances, readings and workshops seen annually by over 5 million people. Through its ongoing funding of over $18 million annually, TAC cultivates a rich engagement between artists and audiences. It is proud to reflect Toronto’s vibrancy through the diversity of the artists, arts communities and audiences that it serves. For more about Toronto Arts Council, visit www.torontoartscouncil.org
About Toronto Arts Foundation
Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization 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: Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager at sarah@torontoarts.org