Neighbourhood Arts Network Vision and Mandate
Vision: The Neighbourhood Arts Network (NAN) will enhance the quality of life at the local level by connecting Toronto neighbourhoods with the transformational value of artistic activity while building recognition for the value of community-engaged art as an element of a healthy and vibrant neighbourhood.
Mandate (What are we): The Neighbourhood Arts Network is an organization that works actively to enhance quality of life through the arts at the neighbourhood level by supporting groups which provide community-engaged arts programming, and by fostering new, locally driven arts initiatives linking artists to community members.
Core Beliefs: The members of the network believe in the basic principles:
- Participation in arts programs which link artists with community members can enliven and enrich individuals and neighbourhoods and bring about transformation.
- All Torontonians have the right to access creative activities that are developed in their own neighbourhoods, in response to their local needs and interests.
- Artists make valuable contributions to society
Objectives and Actions (What we want to do and how we’re going to do it):
1. Stimulate and Increase Arts Activity
- identify neighbourhoods in need of arts hubs and become a catalyst for community arts activity
- advocate for increased arts activity with a focus on priority neighbourhoods
- advocate for more funding for community-engaged arts
2: Support Artist Practitioners and Community Organizations
- foster collaboration, information sharing and communication
- increase capacity of programmers, artists and animators through professional development opportunities, symposiums and annual forums
- create resources for local community members interested in revitalizing their neighbourhood through the arts by researching and documenting models and best practices for community-engaged art creation
- forge strong partnerships between the arts and social service sectors
3: Research and Information Sharing
- develop a web-based database and referral service for stakeholders interested in initiating community-based creative projects or hiring community arts artists
- develop an interactive site for member networking and sharing
4: Public Education and Promotion
- promote neighbourhood arts projects, locally and throughout the city
- advocate for and educate regarding the value of community-engaged art
- branding with common signage and a network logo
For more information, and to sign up to receive bulletins regarding the Neighbourhood Arts Network, please contact Leslie Francombe, Community Investment Manager, at leslie@torontoarts.org