FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Platform A: Tamara Haberman | tamara@artstarts.net | 416-656-9994
Toronto Arts Council: Susan Wright | susan@torontoartscouncil.org | 416 392 6802 x 211
Platform A Announces the Recipients of 2017 Micro-Grants
January 31, 2017
TORONTO – Platform A partner organizations Art Starts, Jumblies Theatre, VIBE Arts, SKETCH and CUE are pleased to announce the recipients of a new cycle of arts grants made possible by the Toronto Arts Council. This initiative has, for the last three years, put project funding into the hands of underrepresented, marginalized, and newcomer artists and collectives to develop new projects.
This cycle saw 150 funding submissions to Platform A partner organizations. The successful 69 grant recipients will be working on a diverse range of projects in multiple disciplines such as the creation of a bicycle-powered potter’s wheel, a “living documentary” engaging youth from North York on issues of sustainable infrastructure, a fashion line representing LGBTQIA+ African diaspora, and a series of paintings depicting how migrant workers are mistreated and exploited by employers and the government. In total, over $60,000 in project funds were disseminated.
These grants are significant in that they represent support for artists who have been historically excluded from conventional arts institutions, and who have faced systemic barriers to accessing funding for their work. Platform A provides high-access systems for these artists to apply for funding, along with intensive mentorship throughout the process of developing proposals, producing projects, and connecting with future opportunities after grant period.
“We are happy to be in a position to increase access to arts funding for newcomer and community-based artists through the Platform A initiative,” says Claire Hopkinson, Director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council. “We extend our warmest congratulations to each of the recipients.”
A list of artists supported by each Platform A partner organization is available on their respective websites.
About Partner Organizations:
Art Starts
Art Starts is an award-winning charitable, not-for-profit organization that uses the arts as a vehicle to encourage social change in Toronto’s underserved neighbourhoods. Bringing professional artists and communities together to work across all artistic disciplines, Art Starts combines the best practices of hands-on community consultation with a collaborative art-making approach and sound organizational and administrative support.
Jumblies Theatre
In operation for over ten years, Jumblies is an inclusive and community-focused theatre company offering multi-year residencies, studio training, mentorships, and innovative collaborative projects. Jumblies is an award-winning organization increasingly cited as a pioneering and inspirational example of art that embraces and intertwines aesthetics with social engagement.
SKETCH and CUE
SKETCH is a nationally recognized, award-winning community arts enterprise based in Toronto engaging young people living homeless and on the margins, ages 16-29, coming from across Canada. SKETCH creates equitable opportunities for diverse young people to experience the transformative power of the arts, build leadership in the arts and cultivate environmental and social change through the arts.
A collaborative partner of SKETCH, CUE is a radical arts initiative dedicated to supporting new generation artists who live and work on the margins. Since 2008, CUE has disseminated over $280,000 to support the creation of more than 290 art projects.
VIBE Arts
VIBE Arts is an award-winning organization whose mandate is to engage young people living in priority neighbourhoods in high-quality, accessible arts educational programs that are meaningful, relevant and collaboratively developed with community and education partners. VIBE Arts positions arts programs in schools and neighbourhood venues as a means of building community, and empowering marginalized children and youth to reach their full potential as artists and social contributors.
Toronto Arts Council
In 2016 Toronto Arts Council reviewed over 2350 applications and awarded grants totaling $18 million to just under 1000 individual artists and organizations.