PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Toronto Arts Council Foundation is the voice for the arts in Toronto.

Incorporated in 1995 as a sister organization to Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council Foundation (TACF) has a two fold mission: to increase awareness of the value that artists and arts organizations bring to the City of Toronto, and to increase resources for the arts.

In addition to administering programs which further the above goals, TACF allows individuals, foundations and corporations the opportunity to support a broad spectrum of initiatives and arts disciplines in the City of Toronto through tax-deductible contributions.

Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards

Poised to become a signature event in Toronto’s cultural calendar, TACF Awards celebrate excellence and leadership in the cultural sector. At a fall lunch hosted by Mayor David Miller, Toronto’s civic leadership turns out to honour exceptional Toronto citizens for the notable contributions to the arts, either through creation, performance, volunteerism and cultural leadership. The Foundation currently manages prize endowments for five prizes with a combined value of $40,000.

Toronto Arts Coalition

The Coalition is an internet-based group of arts supporters, dedicated to raising arts awareness and increasing the resources available to Toronto artists and arts organizations. The Coalition currently has over 5,300 individual members, and close to 100 members combined in Corporate and Organizational membership categories. All members receive the Coalition Newsletter which highlights current issues in the arts, profiles arts leaders and good corporate citizens, highlights opportunities for members and more. The Coalition also produces two highly anticipated annual guides: The Summer Festival & Events Guide and The Holiday Shopping Guide.

Toronto Arts Volunteer Network

Volunteers are a critical resource to the arts organizations in Toronto. The commitment of volunteers enables arts organizations, large and small, to realize cultural initiatives of all kinds. In turn, volunteers develop a deep appreciation for Toronto arts, learn new skills, expand their networks and experience personal growth. TACF manages a growing network of close to 400 volunteers with whom we communicate on a monthly basis via email newsletter. The monthly newsletter includes volunteer opportunities from within our organization and on behalf of arts organizations throughout Toronto.

The Creative City Block by Block

Every person in Toronto has the right to enjoy the rich cultural life that is the hall mark and pride of Toronto. Through partnerships and initiatives, Block by Block seeks to connect even the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods with the transformational value of artistic activity.

Partnerships with Toronto’s institutions, agencies and private companies are being fostered to further this goal. African drumming and dance, drum-making and song, theatre arts and Japanese Manga comic art are some of the art forms on offer for children and youth in high poverty Toronto neighbourhoods this summer, thanks to a Toronto Arts Council Foundation/United Way of Greater Toronto partnership.

TACF is hosting an artist led symposium to “imagine neighbourhood change” in October 2006 as a prequel to the Creative Cities national conference entitled Transforming Communities through Culture.

Arts in the Workplace

A program of exhibitions that feature the work of Toronto Arts Council visual arts grants recipients. The Arts in the Workplace initiative serves to celebrate and promote the success of the TAC grants programs. Exhibitions will be mounted in alternative spaces across the Greater Toronto area, such as offices and places of businesses. Program mandate is to increase public interest in the work of living Toronto artists and to provide a source of additional revenue to those artists. We are currently working with Investors Group on the development and presentation of two exhibitions at their corporate offices in Toronto. For more information visit www.torontoarts.org/artsintheworkplace.htm.

Toronto Arts Online and Live With Culture

Toronto Arts Online in partnership with Live with Culture, are comprehensive websites of arts events in Toronto. Search and view hundreds of events in all disciplines, including music, festivals, theatre, visual arts, craft, media arts, dance and community arts. Free listings are available to all arts organizations. For more information visit www.torontoartsonline.org or www.livewithculture.ca.

Toronto Arts Fund

TACF allows individuals, foundations and corporations the opportunity to support a broad spectrum of initiatives and arts disciplines in the City of Toronto through tax-deductible contributions, including legacies, endowments, property and gifts of insurance. The Fund is intended to augment, not duplicate, existing fundraising efforts by arts organizations.