Toronto Arts Foundation Launches Neighbourhood Arts Network

In consultation with over 120 community leaders and artists, Toronto Arts Foundation conceived and developed the Neighbourhood Arts Network as part of its Creative City: Block by Block Program to serve as a catalyst in neighbourhood transformation by supporting and fostering more creative collaboration between artists, community organizations and local residents.

“From street safety to reclaiming parks for community use to engaging disaffected teens, artists bring fresh, creative energy into Toronto’s neighbourhoods. We are working to help Toronto become a more creative and more liveable city and we believe community-engaged arts programs will play a major role in neighbourhood transformation city-wide,” stated Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director of Toronto Arts Foundation.

The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, joined local artists, politicians, residents and representatives from community services and businesses to celebrate the official Neighbourhood Arts Network launch party at Harbourfront Centre’s Lakeside Terrace.

“Community-based arts help invigorate and animate the city,” said The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture. “The Neighbourhood Arts Network represents a way to capitalize on the potential of the local arts scene to build more vibrant, liveable communities – communities where people want to live and work and businesses want to invest.”

Established to serve the needs of community-engaged artists and community organizations and to act as a resource for neighbourhood residents, the Neighbourhood Arts Network will:

• map current activities happening in communities throughout the city and inform the public of the subsidized arts programs available in their neighbourhood;
• act as a referral for community residents seeking to revitalize their neighbourhoods through the arts;
• establish links between artists working in underserved neighbourhoods and city departments and agencies including libraries, community centres, and parks; and
• assist with the development of neighbourhood arts hubs.

The Foundation has worked closely with Art Starts on this important initiative. Art Starts, one of many of Toronto’s professional community-engaged arts organizations, has run countless community-engaged programs and projects across the city since 1992.

Through its website at the network provides a forum for discussion and information sharing, access to resources, tools, mentors, templates, and offers services and support. Best Buzz videos highlighting the best practices of five successful community-engaged art programs in Toronto neighbourhoods can be viewed on the website which also acts as an important resource for the general public to find out more about community-engaged art-making and its incredible contribution to neighbourhood revitalization.

Membership is free in 2010 and open to artists, individuals and organizations that develop, program or facilitate community-engaged arts such as libraries, community centres, social service providers, and business improvement associations. Membership benefits include access to members-only section of the website, bulletins, advance notice of events and special offers. Members are required to maintain a current profile and to actively participate in the Network. For more information or to become a member visit www.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org or call 416-392-6802 ext 212.

Neighbourhood Arts Network is made possible by support from the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, and by the many Friends of the Foundation.

Toronto Arts Foundation exists to provide the creative opportunity for donors to support the arts in Toronto. TAF believes that a great city demands great art, and by supporting, celebrating, financing and advocating for Toronto’s local artists, we’re improving the quality of life of all Torontonians. Although separate entities, the Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation benefit by being run as sister organizations, ensuring close contact with the arts sector in Toronto and an ongoing awareness of activities and needs throughout the community.

Art Starts is and arts-based community development organization operating in the City of Toronto. Art Starts uses the arts as a vehicle to encourage social change in at-risk neighbourhoods. We offer high quality, responsive and relevant creative opportunities to those who do not have access — namely people living in underserved and stressed communities. For more information please go to www.artstarts.net .