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
Celebrating 50 years of Toronto Arts Council Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is launching its 50th anniversary with a free and public Community Celebration, taking place from 6 – 9:30 p.m. on June 13 at Luminato in the Square. Featuring main stage and on-the-ground performances and activities, the event invites all Torontonians to celebrate the amazing contributions of artists and arts organizations to our city. “Toronto Arts Council’s investment in artists and arts organizations is an investment in Toronto and has helped shape the identity of the city. Our work continues to ensure Toronto is a vibrant, cultural, desirable place to live and visit,” says Kelly Langgard, Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. “As a community-led organization that encourages civic engagement, belonging and inspiration, it’s important that we celebrate our 50th milestone in an open and representative way; through our Community Celebration we’re giving collective thanks to our artists for shaping the city we see today while we look ahead to 50 more years of cultural growth and care.” Established in 1974 with a total budget of $315,000, TAC awarded its first grants to 14 arts organizations. Today, TAC’s granting budget nears $25 million annually with hundreds of organizations, collectives and individuals receiving financial support to create and present artistic work. Public funding for the arts, championed by The City of Toronto since 1974, and delivered through TAC’s peer review process, has been integral to the city’s vitality. The Community Celebration will showcase just some of the artists that TAC and its affiliate Toronto Arts Foundation support. Hosted by Britta B., the event will feature performances by the youth steel pan band Pan Fantasy, Indigenous Cellist and Composer Cris Derksen, award-winning Tapestry Opera, DJ Berma with collaborator and mentee Blakkpharoah in partnership with InterAccess video artists, and more. Visual artists Monica Wickeler and Elder Philip Cote will be leading participatory creation opportunities for audiences of all ages. The Celebration is made possible, in part, by Toronto Arts Foundation. Join us and celebrate the power of the arts at TAC’s 50th anniversary launch event, happening at Luminato in the Square. For 10 days from June 7 – 16, David Pecaut Square will be transformed into Luminato in the Square, where festivalgoers will have free entry to enjoy concerts, performances, interactive activities, food vendors, and bustling markets. This lively outdoor festival atmosphere complements the recently announced June programme to create a rich 2024 experience that will animate the city in fresh and surprising ways. Toronto Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Luminato in the Square Curated by Toronto Arts Council Date: Thursday, June 13 Time: 6-9:30 p.m. David Pecaut Square Entry: Free For more information about the 50th Anniversary Community Celebration, visit Toronto Arts Council’s website. -30- 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 offered innovative and responsive programs, enabling artists and arts organizations to explore, create and thrive. With funding of over $25 million annually, TAC grants lead to exhibitions, performances, readings and workshops seen each year by over five million people across the city. TAC is proud to play a leadership role in fostering Toronto’s dynamic and diverse arts scene. www.torontoartscouncil.org About Toronto Arts Foundation Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city through private-sector investment. About Luminato Luminato Festival Toronto is a convenor and catalyst for big, bold contemporary works of art. Each June, Luminato kicks off the summer with a festival to welcome the world to Toronto, commissioning, producing, and presenting exceptional Canadian and international artists. Throughout the year, Luminato works with artists from the diverse cultures and communities of the city’s region, supporting creative development, and bringing their art to the world stage. We connect local voices with global conversations and ground our work in equity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability. Most importantly, we believe in the power of art to start conversations and inspire audiences. Contact Sarah Gladki, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation: sarah@torontoarts.org
New Directors Elected at 2023 Annual General Meeting On Monday, the Boards of Directors of Toronto Arts Council (TAC) and Toronto Arts Foundation gathered at their joint Annual General Meeting to celebrate accomplishments, elect new members and thank outgoing directors for their service. Many staff members were also in attendance. Toronto Arts Council In her first AGM as Chair of the board of Toronto Arts Council, Celia Smith remarked that the 2022-2023 fiscal year was “a year of transition as well as accomplishment.” Among the statistics that Celia referenced, she highlighted the number of first time grant recipients, totalling 287 in 2022, as particularly notable for its impact. Celia thanked her fellow directors for their devotion, including outgoing member Ana Serrano, who emphasized the importance of data and research during her time on the board, and helped TAC deepen its relationships with academic institutions. Celia also thanked Jason Ryle who stepped down from the board in 2022 while serving as President. Jason, Celia said, was “always passionate and open about the issues facing artists, and helped make sure that during the height of the pandemic we remained responsive.” At this meeting, the Board of Directors elected Devyani Saltzman as President. Devyani is a writer and curator who has extensive experience working in the arts sector in Toronto and Canada. She joined TAC’s board in 2021. “I’m truly thrilled to serve on the board of Toronto Arts Council in this new capacity as President. It’s a critical time for our city, and for our artists and arts organizations. I hope to bring my experience and leadership in cultural institutions and passion for public policy to the role. We need advocacy now more than ever. I intend to champion that in service to our sector and many communities, working in collaboration with my fellow Directors to guide TAC at this pivotal time.” – Devyani Saltzman Toronto Arts Council’s Board of Directors also welcomed incoming member Sally Lee, Executive Director, Canadian Independent Screen Fund, and independent consultant. Toronto Arts Foundation Dr. Sara Diamond, who also participated in the AGM for the first time as Chair of Toronto Arts Foundation, referenced the safe return of in-person events, notably the Toronto Arts Awards Lunch and the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts, as highlights for the organization. Milestone donations of $1M each from The Slaight Family Foundation and the Hal Jackman Foundation to the Toronto Arts Foundation Resiliency Fund, along with many individual donors, stood out as major accomplishments, as well as the Foundation’s research and advocacy efforts in the lead-up the the 2023 Mayoral By-Election. Sara thanked outgoing board member Terry Nicholson for his generous insight, noting that “his passion and commitment to the belief the arts are a central component to vibrant cities match the Foundation’s work.” Toronto Arts Foundation’s Board of Directors welcomed incoming member Devyani Saltzman who, as President of the board of TAC, will bring valuable perspectives to the Foundation’s board. In her closing remarks, Kelly Langgard, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation thanked former Director & CEO Claire Hopkinson for her 17 years of success in leading the organizations. Of the staff and board members, Kelly said that “I’m happy to work with people who share the same goal of making Toronto a better place for artists and arts organizations, and a better place for everyone who lives here, by doing the work we do in the arts.” Kelly noted that TAC and the Foundation share complimentary mandates and activities and bring unique value, strength and potential to Toronto. Through upcoming initiatives and partnerships, Kelly said that she’s looking forward to telling the story of the impact and value of the arts to the city. TAC and the Foundation released their 2022 annual reports which are now available online.
Kelly Langgard to join Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation as Director & CEO Today, Toronto’s funding agency for the arts, Toronto Arts Council (TAC) and its affiliate city-wide charity, Toronto Arts Foundation, together with their Boards of Directors, announce that Kelly Langgard has been named as the organizations’ new Director & CEO. Claire Hopkinson, who held the position for 17 years and announced her resignation in March 2022, will continue as CEO until the end of this year. Kelly will assume the role effective January 9, 2023. With a career in the arts spanning 25 years in Canada and internationally, working at organizations both large and small, Kelly has a great understanding of the arts ecology and the particular social and cultural dynamics of Toronto. Kelly is deeply committed to equity, access and inclusion, and is a visionary leader with a proven track record in partnership building and strategic thinking. Kelly’s hire comes after an extensive search led by Search Committee Co-Chairs Celia Smith (CEO, Luminato Festival and Chair, TAC) and Gaëtane Verna (Executive Director, Wexner Center for the Arts and Past President, TAC), with members Gary Crawford (Toronto City Councillor and board member, TAC), Dr. Sara Diamond (President Emerita, OCAD University and Chair, Toronto Arts Foundation), Jason Ryle (Past Executive Director, ImagineNative and President, TAC), Michael Sinclair (General Manager, Obsidian Theatre, and board member, TAC) and Susan Wright (Deputy Director, TAC and Toronto Arts Foundation). The search was facilitated by Jason Murray & Melissa Sumnauth of BIPOC Executive Search, a firm specializing in inclusive and diversity recruitment. “I am honoured to be joining Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation to build on their leadership in fostering Toronto’s vital arts scene. Supporting artists to thrive and connect – locally, nationally, and internationally – has been my life’s work and I am excited to bring this experience to a city as vibrant and diverse as Toronto. I look forward to collaborating with the TAC and Foundation’s dedicated staff, board members and committees, as well as the City of Toronto, partners, and donors to realize an ambitious, inclusive, resilient and expansive vision for Toronto arts and communities.” – Kelly Langgard “Together with BIPOC Executive Search and members of the Search Committee, we welcomed applications from around the world from people who were interested in becoming the next Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. It was an extensive process with full commitment from everyone involved. As Co-Chair of the Search Committee, heartfelt thanks to the committee members for the work done with purpose, integrity and deep respect; I also want to acknowledge all of the candidates who we met throughout the search process for their interest and dedication to the work of TAC & the Foundation.” – Gaëtane Verna “On behalf of the Board of Toronto Arts Council, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Kelly Langgard and congratulate her as she takes this next step in her esteemed career. Her professional experience, respect for the work of TAC and understanding of the current arts landscape in Toronto and beyond inspires confidence that she will lead the Council with intelligence and care in this new exciting phase.” – Celia Smith “The Board of Toronto Arts Foundation and I are looking forward to working with Kelly to build on the Foundation’s incredible growth and impact. Kelly expresses a great understanding of the synergies between the Foundation and our affiliate TAC, not to mention a clear vision as a leader and advocate for artists. These qualities and others perfectly complement the work we’re doing to increase access to the arts and strengthen Toronto’s cultural landscape.” – Dr. Sara Diamond “I’d like to express my thanks to the hiring committee for the care and thoroughness that was put into the hiring process. It was a lot of work and they did a tremendous job. I have confidence that Kelly Langgard is going to be an exceptional leader, bringing the right skills at the right time to these two wonderful organizations. I look forward to a smooth transition, and to the evolution of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation under Kelly’s leadership.” – Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation ABOUT | Kelly Langgard has more than 25 years of experience in public policy, arts funding, governance, strategic planning, partnerships and government and stakeholder relations. She has led various programs and initiatives aimed at supporting more opportunities for artists and arts professionals. Kelly began her career at Calgary’s Herland Feminist Film Festival before becoming Executive Director of Images Festival in Toronto, during which time she served on the boards of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre and the Independent Media Arts Alliance. She has held a number of positions at Canada Council for the Arts: Media Arts Officer, Head of Audience and Market Development, Head of Partnership and International Coordination and Manager of Strategic Research Initiatives. She has also held the positions of Senior Advisor for Cultural Diplomacy at Global Affairs Canada, and Program Manager at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Kelly is currently the Director of Granting at Ontario Arts Council. Kelly is replacing outgoing Director & CEO, Claire Hopkinson. Since 2005, Claire has developed Toronto Arts Council into Canada’s leading municipal arts council, nearly tripling its investment in Toronto’s arts community, with a $25 million annual budget. Committed to supporting the entire arts ecosystem, Claire has worked with partners and colleagues to build strategic funding opportunities for the city’s artists and arts organizations, both through TAC and its affiliate Toronto Arts Foundation. -30- 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 offered innovative and responsive programs, enabling artists and arts organizations to explore, create and thrive. With funding of over $25 million annually, TAC grants lead to exhibitions, performances, readings and workshops seen each year by over 5 million people across the city. TAC is proud to play a leadership role in fostering Toronto’s dynamic and diverse arts scene. www.torontoartscouncil.org About Toronto Arts Foundation Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment. To learn more or to make a donation, visit torontoartsfoundation.org. Contact information For more information, please contact: Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager at sarah@torontoarts.org or 416-392-6802 x 217
Claire Hopkinson moving on from role as Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation The Boards of Directors of Toronto Arts Council (TAC) and Toronto Arts Foundation announce the upcoming departure of Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO. After 17 years of inspired leadership and exceptional achievements, Claire Hopkinson has decided to leave her position to pursue new opportunities at the end of this year. Since 2005, Hopkinson has developed Toronto Arts Council into Canada’s leading municipal arts council, nearly tripling its investment in Toronto’s arts community, with a $25 million dollar annual budget. Committed to supporting the entire arts eco-system, Claire has worked with partners and colleagues to build strategic funding opportunities for the city’s artists and arts organizations. Of particular note has been her focus on ensuring that both TAC’s granting and its governance are representative of the people and art forms of the City. Further, she has worked tirelessly to bring the arts into the forefront of civic leadership, recognizing the transformative powers of the arts to city building. Claire’s impact on Toronto Arts Foundation has been equally impressive. As the city’s leading arts charity, the Foundation under Claire’s leadership has pursued its vision to enrich every neighbourhood through the transformative benefits of the arts. Attracting unprecedented levels of philanthropic support for the Foundation’s work, Claire has created exceptional fundraising opportunities and events including the very popular Mayor’s Evening for the Arts. The primary force behind the development of Arts in the Parks and the Neighbourhood Arts Network, Claire has created meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences in every corner of the city. In 2017 Claire was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada in recognition of her work in the arts community and she leaves both organizations in a state of stability and achievement. “I came to TAC and Foundation as an artistic producer with a personal understanding of what the arts are capable of, and of the challenges facing artists and arts organizations. It’s been an incredible privilege these last 17 years to tackle these challenges, to find opportunities to expand the reach of the arts across the city and to help give voice to the rich diversity of incredible artists Toronto is home to. I’ve been blessed to work with an exceptional team of talented and committed colleagues and two supportive and knowledgeable boards of directors. I have sincerely loved working with, and learning from, each one of them! I also treasure the numerous and important relationships developed along the way, with civic leaders, arts colleagues, visionary philanthropists, academics and community partners. I’m proud of the two organizations I am leaving and look forward to witnessing the next generation of leadership move Toronto’s arts sector forward.” While the Board and staff of TAC and the Foundation will miss Claire’s energy, enthusiasm and leadership, we are confident that there will be no difficulty in attracting great talent as we search for her replacement. Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation are vibrant, well-managed organizations vital to the success of the arts community, the city and all its residents. A Search Committee, approved by both boards yesterday evening, will be Co-chaired by Gaetane Verna (Director of the Power Plant and Past President of TAC) and Celia Smith (Director of Luminato Festival and Board member of TAC) and will include the following members: Jason Ryle (Past Executive Director, ImagineNative and TAC President), Dr. Sara Diamond (Past President & CEO, OCAD University and Incoming Chair, Toronto Arts Foundation), Michael Sinclair (General Manager Obsidian Theatre, and TAC Board member), Gary Crawford, Toronto City Councillor and TAC Board member. The position will be posted in the spring and both Boards look forward to welcoming the incoming Director and CEO by the end of the year.
Our COVID Response The COVID-19 pandemic affected people and industries all over the world. The arts, entertainment and recreation sector was among the hardest hit by pandemic closures, in terms of number of jobs as well as total number of hours worked. Not only this, but it is expected to be the last to return to pre-COVID economic conditions. CAPACOA released a useful compilation of COVID statistics that demonstrate the impact. Toronto artists indeed felt the effects; even before COVID, artists have struggled to live and work in Toronto. See the Toronto Arts Foundation 2019 booklet: Arts Stats 2019 – Going Without: Artists and Arts Workers in Our Creative City, which makes it clear that Toronto’s artists face disproportionately high costs to live in Toronto (paying for both work space and essential training) while experiencing disproportionately low incomes. At the beginning of the pandemic Toronto Arts Council recognized that it was imperative to pivot and worked diligently to respond to the immediate needs of the arts community. We acted quickly and effectively, offering artists new funding opportunities while expediting support to the city’s arts organizations. Here’s what we did: 2020: With performances cancelled, contracts were terminated and artists needed immediate financial support. Before the launch of CERB, in collaboration with Toronto Arts Foundation and City of Toronto, TAC introduced the TOArtist COVID-19 Response Fund in March 2020. Thanks to the generosity of donors responding to the Foundation’s fundraising campaign, and the efforts of staff who worked into the night, a total of $833,667 to 982 individuals was disbursed to applicants in record time, with the first payments to artists disbursed within 10 business days after opening the Fund. Recognizing the monetary constraints on many organizations with fixed costs TAC accelerated grant payments to annual and multi-year funding recipients in May 2020 to help them avert a crisis. TAC maintained funding to projects and individuals, knowing that artists would continue to explore, develop and disseminate new work in music, theatre, dance, literature, media, visual, community, and Indigenous arts. In doing so, in 2020 we hosted 68 days of adjudication and assessed 3626 applications. We recommend the largest number of grants in our history totalling $23,397,603, including the TOArtist COVID-19 Response Fund. Following increased emphasis on equity and inclusion in the arts, TAC conducted consultations with the Black Arts community. 162 survey respondents, plus 10 in-person consultations resulted in a report suggesting improvements to our outreach and granting process. 2021: A new TAC Black / African-diasporic arts grant program was launched early in 2021, and $850,000 grants were approved in its first year. Timaj Garad joined TAC staff as Outreach & Access Program Manager to lead outreach efforts focused on the Black/African-diasporic arts communities and help design and implement the new grants program. To help support increased equity among all TAC’s operating clients the Equity implementation assessment score was increased from 10% to 20% of the overall score. A recovery grants program providing additional support for COVID costs to arts organizations provided $1.2 million in one-time grants in 2021. Throughout the pandemic: Understanding the critical need for timely information TAC issued 39 e-bulletins from March 2020 to the beginning of 2022 and co-hosted five town hall style Digital Updates with Economic Development & Culture to provide the arts community with updates on COVID-19 regulations and funding opportunities. A COVID-19 section was created on our website serving as a resource hub for TAC updates, health regulations, arts business tools, funding opportunities and art activations while it was relevant. Understanding that grant recipients faced extraordinary challenges during the outbreak, we assured recipients that they may postpone, adjust or cancel projects affected by the COVID-19 outbreak without penalty from TAC. Organizations receiving core funding were not required to have replacement programming for events or activities that were delayed, changed or cancelled due to COVID-19. Research Toronto Arts Council and Foundation worked with partners on research projects to bring essential support to arts organizations managing through COVID: #lights-on – a Toronto Metropolitan University led project that brought together key stakeholders to make sense of the crisis, synthesize and analyse data and impact studies, develop and communicate strategies for support of the sector as it envisioned the future. Cue to Cue also led by Toronto Metropolitan University drafted Guidelines for Occupational and Public Health Standards in performance venues during COVID recovery. Beyond the Toolkit: Toronto Arts Foundation partnered with UofT and other organizations to catalyze conversations about pedagogy among community-engaged practitioners and the potential role of community engaged practitioners in the aftermath of COVID-19.