Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighborhood Arts Network has just released an important new research and educational resource: the Arts & Equity Toolkit.

Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighborhood Arts Network has just released an important new research and educational resource: the Arts & Equity Toolkit. Designed to provide artists and community groups with the tools that they need to reduce barriers to community participation in the arts, the Arts & Equity Toolkit is a comprehensive document that includes case studies, worksheets, resource links, and quotes from Toronto-based artists and groups. The Arts & Equity Toolkit is the outcome of a year-long research and capacity-building project by the Neighbourhood Arts Network, with support from Manifesto Community Projects.

“The Arts & Equity Project emerged from needs identified by artists who are working to engage Toronto communities through the arts,” said Skye Louis, Neighbourhood Arts Network Coordinator, who worked with researcher Leah Burns to create the new resource. “It’s been a highly collaborative process, and we’re delighted with the results. The Arts & Equity Toolkit is a responsive and practical set of tools and resources for artists and cultural leaders. Publishing and sharing these resources is an important step forward in increasing access to the arts.” The Arts & Equity Toolkit is available for free through the Neighbourhood Arts Network website, and excerpts from the toolkits are included in the recent publication, Pluralism in the Arts in Canada. Edited by Charles C. Smith, this book will be a core text for Arts Management students at the University of Toronto this fall.

“The arts are a powerful tool in building and sustaining successful neighbourhoods,” commented Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director of Toronto Arts Foundation. “Compelled by our Creative City, Block by Block vision, our Foundation is committed to city building through the arts through a variety of strategic initiatives, including the Neighbourhood Arts Network and the Arts & Equity Toolkit. A key component of our vision is to increase accessibility to the arts for people all across the city. We are grateful to the Ontario Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Strategic Investment Fund for supporting this important and useful initiative.”


About the Neighbourhood Arts Network

Since 2010, Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network has been working to provide support to community engaged artists and arts groups across Toronto through research and information sharing, professional development and networking events, advocacy, and promotion. The Neighbourhood Arts Network helps artists and community organizations to do what they do best: enrich Toronto and transform it into a more vibrant, beautiful, liveable city. To learn more about the Neighbourhood Arts Network and the inspiring work of community-engaged artists in Toronto, please visit www.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org

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For more information, please contact Skye Louis, Neighbourhood Arts Network Coorrdinator at 416-392-6802 x 212