Toronto Arts Foundation Announces 2020 Awards Finalists
TORONTO, September 10, 2020 – Seven awards celebrating Toronto’s exceptional artists, cultural leaders and arts organizations will be presented at the annual Mayor’s Arts Lunch on September 24, 2020.
As the country continues to grapple with COVID-19, Canadians are turning to the arts to find solace, inspiration, and comfort. The arts have the power to bring people together, even when gathering may not be possible. Now, more than ever, a celebration is necessary. Toronto Arts Foundation is taking the lead to honour those who enrich our city and minds, through the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards.
This year, Toronto Arts Foundation is expanding the Lunch to include two of its annual awards that are typically presented at separate ceremonies: The Emerging Jazz Artist Award and The Community Arts Award. Additionally, in lieu of its annual finalist photo shoot, the Foundation has commissioned multi-disciplinary Antiguan artist Amber Williams-King to reinterpret finalist headshots through their illustrative and dynamic art. The 2020 Awards Plate was designed by renowned Toronto artist Luis Jacob.
Finalists for this year range from established leaders to emerging artists creating vital work. From veteran choreographers to a rising spoken word performer, to community arts organizations and groups committed to inspiring and engaging the next generation, the finalists offer a snapshot of the incredible range of talent and community within Toronto’s artistic scene.
The recipients of the 2020 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards will be announced at a reimagined virtual Mayor’s Arts Lunch on Thursday, September 24, where a total of $86,000 in prize money will be distributed.
The finalists are:
ARTS FOR YOUTH AWARD
JAYU – a charity committed to sharing human rights stories through the arts
Nia Centre for the Arts – a charitable organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts from across the Afro-Diaspora
The Truth & Dare Project – an organization that provides free visual art workshops, self-care retreats, pop-ups, and an annual exhibit for young Muslim women in the GTA
CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL LIFE AWARDS
Karen & Allen Kaeja – choreographers, performers, idea originators and Co-Artistic Directors of Kaeja d’Dance
Sandra Laronde – arts innovator, leader and Executive and Artistic Director of Red Sky Performance
Ryan Rice – independent curator and an Associate Dean at OCAD University
COMMUNITY ARTS AWARD
Jamii – local arts group serving the Esplanade
MUSE ARTS– community arts organization that increases support, access and visibility to immigrant, refugee and newcomer artists
Unit 2 – arts and community space run by a collective of artist-activists
EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
Britta B. – poet, spoken word performer, emcee and artist educator
Leila Fatemi – emerging artist, curator and community arts worker
jes sachse – artist, writer and choreographer
EMERGING JAZZ ARTIST AWARD
Lauren Falls – bassist and composer
Matt Lagan – saxophonist, composer and bandleader
Jesse Ryan – saxophonist and composer
ROY THOMSON HALL AWARD OF RECOGNITION
Murray Foster – Juno-nominated musician, Professor and founder of Toronto Songwriting School, The Urban Orchestra, and Choir Nation
Nagata Shachu – Japanese taiko drumming and music group
Phem Phat Entertainment Group – produces the Honey Jam programme for young female artists
TORONTO ARTS AND BUSINESS AWARD
The recipient of the Toronto Arts and Business Award will be announced at the Mayor’s Arts Lunch on September 24.
The Mayor’s Arts Lunch @ home is being presented virtually on September 24, 2020. The event will be hosted by music journalist and CBC radio host Errol Nazareth and Jesse Wente, broadcaster, Director of Indigenous Screen Office and recently appointed Chair of Canada Council for the Arts. Featured speakers will include Mayor John Tory and former award recipient Molly Johnson will be the featured performer.
“Although the annual awards ceremony will look different this year, what hasn’t changed is the unwavering dedication of Toronto’s artists, arts organizations and cultural leaders who enrich our city in a multitude of ways,” said Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many things for us, including the importance of the arts sector to our well-being. Toronto Arts Foundation is proud to recognize the contributions of these outstanding finalists, who give back in so many ways.”
The 2020 finalists were selected by panels of notable local artists and cultural leaders.
The panel for the Arts For Youth Award, Celebration of Cultural Life Awards, Emerging Artist Award and Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition consisted of: Aida Aydinyan, Annalie Bonda, Cyn Rozeboom, Julian Sleath, Raoul Olou, and Régine Cadet
The panel for the Emerging Jazz Artist Award consisted of: Elizabeth Rodriguez, Jeremy Ledbetter, Joy Lapps-Lewis, and Josh Grossman
The panel for the Community Arts Award consisted of: Collette Murray, Anique Jordan, Julian Carvajal, Kristina McMullin, and Mahad Shoaib aka “arXade”
The panel for the Toronto Arts and Business Award consisted of: Gillian Smith, Nichole Anderson Bergeron, Leen Al Zaibak, Shawn Micallef, and Rebecca Carbin
This year marks the 15th Mayor’s Arts Lunch awards ceremony, a celebration of Toronto’s artistic community that brings artists, cultural, government, and business leaders together.
For more details about the finalists (including interviews and unique portrait art of each finalist) and the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards, please visit www.torontoartsfoundation.org/awards.
To access the Awards backgrounder and unique portrait art, view our Media Kit.
The Toronto Arts Foundation Awards are made possible through the generous support of individuals and organizations. If you are interested in supporting our Awards portfolio, or would like to establish a new award, please do not hesitate to contact us.
-30-
ABOUT
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
For more information or to book an interview with the finalists or Claire Hopkinson, please contact Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager, at sarah@torontoarts.org.