TAC and Ryerson’s FCAD Announce Digital Solutions Incubator pilot program

Toronto Arts Council is partnering with Ryerson University’s Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD) to launch a pilot program that empowers arts organizations and collectives to explore digital solutions to the challenges they face.

TORONTO, February 26, 2018 - Toronto Arts Council is partnering with Ryerson University’s Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD) to launch a pilot program that empowers arts organizations and collectives to explore digital solutions to the challenges they face.

The program, TAC-FCAD Digital Solutions Incubator, matches arts organizations and collectives with senior students from the Ryerson Creative Impact Supercourse, giving them access to design and technological expertise. Arts organizations and collectives will benefit from enhanced organizational capacity around digital technology, and students will benefit from working with external partners on practical, hands-on projects, from conception to the creation of a prototype.

TAC-FCAD Digital Solutions Incubator aims to arm arts organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to test new and innovative digital-enabled approaches that will benefit the sector as a whole. By giving arts organizations the space to imagine and develop digital-based solutions, the program encourages the arts community to consider the possibilities unlocked by the use of technology.

“Toronto Arts Council supports the development and sustainability of the city’s artists and arts organizations by investing in artistic talent and organizational capacity. This program allows TAC to invest in that future, and to allow our artists and arts organizations to explore, experiment and find creative digital solutions to challenges they face”, said Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council. “Toronto Arts Council is pleased to partner with Ryerson University on this exciting and timely new program.”

“I am thrilled to have our teams in the Creative Impact Supercourse working with Toronto’s artists and cultural community, to develop real-world solutions”, said Charles Falzon, dean of FCAD. “The opportunity to see students from the diverse FCAD programs, working together to ideate, test and prototype new innovations to support the future of these artists and organizations, makes this a truly unique experience.”

This two-year initiative will see seven projects funded for a total of $105,000 per year.

The deadline to apply to TAC-FCAD Digital Solutions Incubator is April 16, 2018. To view program guidelines and eligibility, visit www.torontoartscouncil.org/grant-programs/tac-grants/digital-solutions-incubator

Grants Officer Rupal Shah will be leading an information session on March 12th at Ryerson University, Faculty of Communication and Design, 80 Gould St., room RCC189 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Please email Rupal to reserve your spot: rupal@torontoartscouncil.org

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About Toronto Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is the City of Toronto’s funding body for artists and arts organizations. Since 1974, TAC has played a major role in the city’s cultural industries by supporting a very broad range of artistic activity. From the emerging artist to the most established, from celebrated institutions to arts that challenge convention, TAC is typically the first funder to offer support. Today, TAC grants lead to exhibitions, performances, readings and workshops seen annually by over 9.5 million people. Through its ongoing funding of over $18 million annually, TAC cultivates a rich engagement between artists and audiences. It is proud to reflect Toronto’s vibrancy through the diversity of the artists, arts communities and audiences that it serves. For more about Toronto Arts Council, visit www.torontoartscouncil.org

About Ryerson University
Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 44,600 students, including 2,600 master’s and PhD students, 3,100 faculty and staff, and nearly 185,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ryerson.ca.

About FCAD
The Faculty of Communication and Design is the cultural and creative hub at Ryerson University. With its nine prestigious schools in media and creative industries, FCAD’s interdisciplinary innovation and education are shaping the future of the creative industries.

Contact Information
For information about the TAC-FCAD Digital Solutions Incubator program, please contact Rupal Shah, Grants Officer, Strategic Programs at rupal@torontoartscouncil.org | 416-392-6802 x 209