New Directors Elected at Annual General Meeting

Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation hosted their Annual General Meetings on June 12.

June 13, 2017

Toronto Arts Council welcomed incoming Directors Ayo Leilani (Etmet Musa) and Ana Serrano. Ayo Leilani is the Co-Founder and Director of Toronto based music and multi media collective/ label 88 Days Of Fortune, a member of feminist based electro dub hop group, Above Top Secret (fka Abstract Random) and a solo artist under the name Witch Prophet. She is serving as the co-chair of TAC’s Music Committee. Ana Serrano is the Chief Digital Officer of the Canadian Film Center and Founder of CFC Media Lab, the world-renowned and award-winning institute for interactive storytelling created in 1997, and joins the board as an At-Large appointment.

On reflecting on TAC’s mandate to provide funding to Toronto’s artists on behalf of the City of Toronto, Board Chair Susan Crocker noted that “this is a position of tremendous responsibility and trust. Our accountability to the city is far more than financial; our effectiveness is based on a  deep respect for the artists, arts organizations, and residents of the city.” Crocker thanked outgoing Board Member Devon Ostrom, and the rest of the board for being active, passionate participants in TAC’s work. “There’s a lot to be proud of and a lot to reflect upon as we work to achieve our 2025 Strategic Plan” she said.

Board President Nova Bhattacharya extended her thanks to the board of directors, committee members, and staff, led by Director & CEO Claire Hopkinson. She pointed out that in the last year alone, board and committee members had dedicated 25,000 hours to adjudicate a total of 2,461 applications. “The work we do has impact.” To view the full list of Toronto Arts Council’s 2016 Board of Directors, click here.

Kathleen Sharpe, Chair of Toronto Arts Foundation, echoed Crocker’s remarks by stating that “respect for artists underpins everything we do at the Foundation.” Sharpe thanked donors, sponsors, and board members for their financial contributions to the organization, and highlighted the success of the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts, Arts in the Parks, and the Creative Champions Network in 2016.

Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation also unveiled their 2016 Annual Reports, documents that highlight the incredible growth and impact of the two sister organizations over the last year.

To view the Toronto Arts Council’s Annual Report, click here.

To view the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Annual Report, click here.


Contact information
Susan Wright, Deputy Director: susan@torontoarts.org


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 7.5 million people. Through its ongoing funding of over $16 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.