Community Arts Project Brings Arts and Minds Together for Mental Health
Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network, in partnership with Workman Arts presents Arts and Minds: A Community Arts Series, exploring the theme of mental wellness and public space.
TORONTO, April 3, 2017 – Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network, in partnership with Workman Arts presents Arts and Minds: A Community Arts Series, exploring the theme of mental wellness and public space.
Arts and Minds aims to stimulate conversation around mental health. Arts and Minds will offer residents in Victoria Village neighbourhood a series of collaborative workshops. According to the City of Toronto’s 2011 Neighbourhood Demographic Estimates, 67% of community members in Victoria Village are accessing mental health services. The workshops will be responsive and will provide a platform for residents to discuss mental health issues, while seeking to reduce the stigma associated with seeking support.
“We are excited to bring to life a program that engages the transformative power of the arts to connect with community, tackle important issues of health and well-being, and explore the role of community-engaged arts in advocating for access to mental-health resources”, says Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Foundation.
Through supporting mental wellness and emphasizing the need for resources and conversations at a community level, Arts and Minds: A Community Arts Series will provide tools and outlets of artistic expression for diverse community to come together, listen and share their own mental health stories. A Request for Proposal process will take place, allowing members of Workman Arts to apply to partake in community consultations, as well as design and deliver hand-on workshops.
Scott Miller Berry from Workman Arts remarks: “Workman Arts is thrilled to be partnering with Neighbourhood Arts Network to provide hands on creative workshops in Victoria Village in 2017-2018. This valuable opportunity to engage members of a community in an arts-based mental health dialogue is incredibly exciting for Workman Arts and syncs with our mission to advocate for deeper awareness of and support for creative persons living with mental health and or addictions issues.”
Victoria Park Village community members will be consulted in shaping the project objectives and support community outreach. The project will culminate with the installation of a public art piece that will reflect the dialogue from the workshops.
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 www.torontoartsfoundation.org.
About Neighbourhood Arts Network
Neighbourhood Arts Network, a strategic initiative of the Toronto Arts Foundation, envisions a Toronto in which artists in every neighbourhood have the resources, training and support to make transformative art. We convene, bridge, incubate and advocate on behalf of our 1700+ members and the community arts sector.
Contact Information
For more information about Toronto Arts Foundation and Neighbourhood Arts Network, please contact:
Francesca Perez, Community Investment Manager, Toronto Arts Foundation, at francesca@torontoarts.org or at 416 392 6802 x 204.