Seeking Feedback on our Granting Process On August 27, Toronto Arts Council hosted an in-person Granting Transformation Community Consultation, where we heard directly from artists and community members about how to make our granting programs easier to use and access. Now, we’re inviting you to share your voice through our online survey. Your feedback will help us explore new ways of working and better support Toronto’s arts community. The topic and questions within the survey have been designed using input from artists, community members, and grantees, and asks: “What if every granting program came with an opportunity to access space, mentorship, technological skills, professional development, connections, or information about other supports?” We hope that this “What If?” question sparks your interest in some way and that you choose to take 5–10 minutes to participate. The survey will close on September 26. For more information about the survey, the Granting Transformation project, or any of the work that Toronto Arts Council does, please reach out anytime to Rupal Shah, Director Policy & Programs at rupal@torontoarts.org. Complete the Survey
Welcome Tafiya, TAC’s new Dance Program Manager Welcome, Tafiya! In August, Toronto Arts Council welcomed Tafiya Itiaba-Bayah to the team as our new Dance Program Manager. Tafiya is an Afro-Canadian movement artist with roots in Saint Lucia and Ghana. A graduate of OCAD University, he has worked with movement and dance as his primary method of expression and exploration for over 15 years. Through street dance culture, music, and movement he has been able to find his voice and empower artists in the GTA and abroad. He has trained, facilitated, competed, performed, and traveled internationally in order to hone his craft. He continues to support the advancement of the Canadian dance community through the development of community programs and resource sharing. Creating opportunities to question the experiences, systems, and environments we live in has been a key component of his community arts practice. He remains grounded in a long term vision of creating healthier and more supportive environments for dancers to grow in community or commercial settings. Please reach out to Tafiya any time with questions about TAC’s Dance Projects or Dance Operating programs. Contact info:Tafiya Itiaba-BayahProgram Manager, Dance416-392-6802 x 224tafiya[at]torontoarts[dot]org