Toronto Arts Council Announces $538,729 For Open Door And Animating Toronto Parks Programs

Toronto – Toronto Arts Council is pleased to announce that a total of 33 arts projects have been awarded grants through two Strategic Funding programs: Open Door and Animating Toronto Parks.

TAC’s new Strategic Funding programs allow it to address key priorities established in 2013: to enhance access and support for under-served communities and to encourage innovation and partnerships.

Launched in 2014, Open Door provides one-time funding designed to respond to important and timely initiatives that have the potential to create transformative change in Toronto’s arts sector. This new model of funding allows TAC to empower arts organizations to find solutions for current and future challenges. Through public installations, mentorship opportunities, shared resources, developing new concepts and more, the 7 projects awarded to date in 2016 will further enrich and inspire Toronto’s arts sector.

Animating Toronto Parks is a 2016 pilot initiative that provides grants to professional artists, and not-for-profit organizations and collectives to support free arts programming in 23 selected Toronto parks outside of the downtown core. Animating Toronto Parks is a component of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Arts in the Parks; a city-wide initiative that encourages community building, enjoyment of local parks, and activities for residents and visitors of all ages. Programming this summer will include multi-disciplinary arts festivals and cultural celebrations, eco-art, Indigenous arts, theatre, music and more.

“We continue to be inspired by the creativity and innovation that increased investment is releasing within Toronto’s arts community”, said Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO.  "I am particularly excited that the impact of these new grants will be felt by artists and the public across the entire City of Toronto."

Click to view the recipients of the 2016 Open Door Process. 
Click to view the recipients of the 2016 Animating Toronto Parks.
 
Contact (Animating Toronto Parks): Erika Hennebury, Animating Toronto Parks Officer, Toronto Arts Council, erika@torontoartscouncil.org, 416-392-6802 x219.

Contact (Open Door Process): Margo Charlton, Research and Impact Manager, Toronto Arts Council, margo@torontoartscouncil.org, 416-392-6802 x201.

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