With an annual commitment of $500,000 TAC is launching our Black Arts program
Anansi by Ekow Nimako. Photo: Samuel Engelking, 2021
We are excited to announce the launch of our Black Arts program. With an annual commitment of $500,000, the Black Arts Program is open to individual Black artists, and collectives and organizations that are Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving.
“Toronto has a long history of Black artists shaping the artistic landscape of the city. It’s essential to both celebrate this past contribution, and also to create a positive environment for contemporary Black artists so that they can continue creating. Through the Black Arts program we seek to provide enhanced resources and play our part in strengthening Black arts in Toronto.” Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO Toronto Arts Council.
Created in response to the barriers that Black arts communities face due to anti-Black racism, the program seeks to address these systemic inequalities by providing pathways to sustainable support to Toronto’s Black artists and Black-led arts organizations serving Black artists.
"Toronto Arts Council is committed to removing the financial barriers and systemic inequities that are unique to Black artists and arts workers. As part of our uncompromising effort to make TAC programs equitable, we are launching Canada’s very first Black Arts Grant program. This program is specifically geared towards addressing the inherent challenges that Black artists and arts workers continue to face in Toronto, in Canada, and throughout the world." Gaëtane Verna, Past President, Toronto Arts Council.
In 2020 TAC provided a total of $1.5 million of funding to Black artists and Black-led arts organizations through our existing operating and project grants. Now with the introduction of the Black Arts program we look forward to expanding our outreach and serving many more talented Black artists and arts organizations.
Created after an intensive consultative process with Black artists and arts workers, led by Outreach & Access Program Manager, Timaj Garad, the program is designed to reflect the diverse needs of Toronto’s Black arts community - providing a project grant and an operating grant stream.
"Black artists are critical to Toronto's arts ecology. The Black arts program was developed in consultation with Black artists and arts workers with the intention of creating a program that is aligned with the needs and dreams of artists and arts organizations it seeks to serve. I'm looking forward to the opportunities this program will provide to amplify the work of Black artists in the city and create pathways for more of us to thrive." Timaj Garad, Outreach & Access Program Manager.
"There's a lot about this program that's exciting: annual operating creates opportunity to help organizations gain more resources, that there is mentorship for the creation aspect, the opportunity for not only new projects, but projects-in-progress to obtain funding, (that this is) the first Black-specific arts granting program. This program is (also) helpful for artists who are returning to their practice from a break." Co-design participant.
We want to thank all the artists and arts workers who participated in the co-design of this program, and Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony and Kai ner Maa Pitanta, who facilitated the initial consultations with Black artists and arts workers.
We look forward to receiving applications to the Black Arts program and celebrating the incredible talent of Toronto’s Black artists.
Facilitated by
Timaj Garad, Outreach & Access Program Manager, TAC held a townhall event on July 6, presenting the new Black Arts program.
For information about Black Arts program please contact Timaj Garad, Outreach & Access Program Manager:
416-392-6802 x 209 | timaj@torontoartscouncil.org
General information: Haroon Khalid, Interim Communications Manager:
416-392-6802 x 217 | haroon@torontoarts.org