Advocacy
Past articles from the Programs/Advocacy page can be stored here and linked to main Advocacy Page
TAC TAF Advocacy Committee and Mandate
Mandate
- To identify priorities and develop recommended positions for TAC to advocate to the public and politicians on behalf of Toronto’s arts community and TAC.
- To influence public policy
- To establish a network of networks
- To recommend to TAC and TAF Boards and develop strategies for awareness campaigns
- To solicit input from the arts community
- To be proactive rather than reactive
- To provide regular reports on activities and progress to the TAC and TAF Boards of Directors
CITY HALL CONTACTS
| Mayor Rob Ford |
mayor_ford@toronto.ca; |
| Mark Towhey, Office of the Mayor; Director of Policy & Strategic Planning | |
| Michael Thompson, Chair of Economic Development Committee | |
| Mike Del Grande, Budget Chief | |
| Paul Ainslie, Executive Committee | |
| Maria Augimeri | |
| Ana Bailao | |
| Michelle Berardinetti, Executive Committee | |
| Shelley Carroll | |
| Raymond Cho | |
| Josh Colle | |
| Gary Crawford | |
| Vincent Crisanti | |
| Janet Davis | |
| Glenn De Baeremaeker | |
| Frank Di Giorgio | |
| Sarah Doucette | |
| John Filion | |
| Paula Fletcher | |
| Doug Ford | |
| Mary Fragedakis | |
| Mark Grimes | |
| Doug Holyday, Executive Committee | |
| Norm Kelly, Executive Committee | |
| Mike Layton | |
| Chin Lee | |
| Gloria Lindsay Luby | |
| Giorgio Mammoliti, Executive Committee | |
| Josh Matlow | |
| Pam McConnell | |
| Mary-Margaret McMahon | |
| Joe Mihevc | |
| Peter Milczyn, Executive Committee | |
| Denzil Minnan-Wong, Executive Committee | |
| Ron Moeser | |
| Frances Nunziata | |
| Cesar Palacio, Executive Committee | |
| John Parker | |
| James Pasternak | |
| Gord Perks | |
| Anthony Peruzza | |
| Jaye Robinson, Executive Committee | |
| David Shiner, Executive Committee | |
| Karen Stintz | |
| Adam Vaughan | |
| Kristyn Wong-Tem |
Articles on the Arts
Articles implicating the arts in the media
January 17, 2012, Toronto Star, 23-21 Vote Undoes Many of Mayor Rob Ford's Cuts, Rider & Maloney
January 12, 2012, Toronto Star, Arts Funding Wont Be Cut, Martin Knelman
January 10, 2012, Toronto Star, New Study Shows Toronto Lags Far Behind on Arts Funding, Jennifer Pagliaro
January 9, 2012 Toronto Star, Arts could cause economic "tailspin", Paul Irish
December 8, 2011, NOW Magazine, Karinal Official on Why the City Shouldn't Cut the Arts
December 8, 2011, NOW Magazine, Banking on the Arts by Robert Priest
December 5, 2011 The Grid, Chopping Block Talk: Why Toronto Arts Council Funding is Important, Stephen Spencer Davis
December 2, 2011 Globe and Mail, Proposed 10% Cut Would Cost Toronto Arts Council $1 Million by Guy Dixon
September 27, 2011 City News, Cost Cutting Debate Continues at City Hall
September 19, 2011 680 News online - City's Executive Committee meeting Wraps Up
September 19, 2011 The Toronto Star, City Hall Mum on Attendance at Museums, Anita Li
September 18, 2011 Gobe and Mail, Editorial
September 16, 2011 Toronto.Com The Arts Are Worth It by Christopher Hume
September 16, 2011 Globe and Mail Arts groups relieved by plan to divert funding cuts to Toronto Arts Council by Patrick White
September 16, 2011 The Grid
September 12, 2011, Globe and Mail Editorial
City of Toronto Documents and Motions
Below are some documents, reports, motions or publications of note of the City of Toronto
Proposed Operating Budget for the City of Toronto 2012 (November 2011)
Analyst Notes on Community Partnership and Investment Program 2012 budget proposal
From the Ground Up - Growing Toronto's Cultural Centre - prepared by the Martin Prosperity Institute
Core Service Review - Final Report to Executive Committee (September 19, 2011)
KPMG Summary to Executive Committee (September 2011)
KPMG Report (September 2011)
Creative Capital Gains - An Action Plan for Toronto (May 2011)
Public Deputation Guide
Public Deputation Guide – Budget Committee Meeting Dec 7, 8, 2011
Deadline to register to speak: December 6, 4:00 p.m.
What People Are Saying
“Any government that says that they have a plan for economic recovery, growth and future growth that doesn’t include a strong plan to support the arts is a government that doesn’t have a plan for economic growth and recovery. ... Supporting the arts isn’t a left-wing issue or a right-wing issue. It’s the right thing to do. And it’s good for Canada. And we’re going to continue supporting the arts.”
~ James Moore, Globe and Mail March 20, 2012
Councillor Josh Matlow - I will not support any cuts that would diminish Toronto's already underfunded and vital arts and culture community. I find it puzzling that the report recommends eliminating Toronto International Film Festival funding while it is being celebrated and generating revenue for the local economy. Our arts and culture events showcase Toronto to the world and contributes to making our city a global centre.
George Fierheller, C.M., Private Philanthropist - The major arts organizations in Toronto go out of their way to bring their world – class performances to to all age groups and income levels. For example, the TSO runs a Young Peoples’ Concert Series with prices as low as $ 15 for each of 6 concerts. Their Afterworks Concerts are specifically designed for young working people. They are held at 6.30 pm and also start at about $ 15. The COC has pioneered free lunchtime presentations in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre with over 70 events enjoyed by over 16,000 annually. The Arts are for everyone and our arts organizations deliver.
Dr. Brainerd Blyden-TaylorFounder & Artistic Director - The Nathaniel Dett Chorale: CAPACOA Touring Artist of the Year - The Nathaniel Dett Chorale has served Torontonians for the past 13 years, and indeed been proud to represent our city and country both on the nation and international stage. The support of the Toronto Arts Council has helped us to shine a much needed spotlight on the underserved area of Afrocentric choral music, as well as aided us in the development and emergence of vocal artists of African descent. We have, and continue to build bridges between various communities through the medium of Afrocentric choral music. A cut to arts funding would be a major blow to our city and a severe setback to the vital work of the arts community in general, and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale in particular. I sincerely encourage you to consider the mental, emotional and spiritual health of Toronto. The work of the arts in our city needs more funding not less. Do not cut arts funding.
Jacqueline Z. Davis, Executive Director - The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center - I recently visited Toronto to attend the International Society for the Performing Arts Congress held each year in a different world class city. It was an absolutely wonderful experience primarily because of the range of arts events and institutions available in your city. It is clear that leaders with vision have understood over the years the relationship between economic development and the arts. It is hoped that the approach to planning for the future will prevail as difficult decisions are made about the economy. The arts give people hope AND in the case of Toronto, they draw people to your city and make them want to come back.
Che Kothari, Executive Director and Noora Sagarwala, Managing Director, Manifesto Community Projects
Chris Goddard, President, Goddard Marketing + Event Specialists
Paul Weiss, Chair, Board of Directors, Soulpepper Theatre
Scott Miller Berry, Executive Director,Images Festival
Sara Diamond, President, OCAD University
Quotes, Quips and Comments
“Any government that says that they have a plan for economic recovery, growth and future growth that doesn’t include a strong plan to support the arts is a government that doesn’t have a plan for economic growth and recovery. ... Supporting the arts isn’t a left-wing issue or a right-wing issue. It’s the right thing to do. And it’s good for Canada. And we’re going to continue supporting the arts.”
~ James Moore, Globe and Mail March 20, 2012