On April 21st, 2011 the Neighbourhood Arts Network and Scarborough Arts brought together artists and cultural workers from across Toronto at AccessPoint on Danforth. The topic for discussion was bridging the gap that exists between arts communities in the downtown core and the inner suburbs.
The event started off with two short presentations, providing context for the following discussions. Tim Whalley, Executive Director of Scarborough Arts touched on some of the realities of arts programming in the inner suburbs. Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival’s Heather Keung (Artistic Director) and Louanne Chan (Director of Marketing) then spoke about Reel Asian’s work connecting with new audiences outside the downtown core. Over forty representatives of arts organizations based in the inner suburbs and the downtown core participated in small group discussion. Wide‐ranging conversations touched on issues such as: infrastructure, communication, and partnering.
Over forty representatives of arts organizations based in the inner suburbs and the downtown core participated in small group discussion. Wide‐ranging conversations touched on issues such as: infrastructure, communication, and partnering.
We have compiled a summary of notes taken during this discussion; they are organized into three sections: Challenges and Solutions, General Observations and Misconceptions, and How Can We Connect? Many insightful solutions/strategies were developed in response to difficulties commonly faced by arts groups, such as how to overcome the geographic and communication barriers that make it challenging to forge partnerships, and how to facilitate the exchange of resources and information between downtown and suburban groups.
Many insightful solutions/strategies were developed in response to difficulties commonly faced by arts groups, such as how to overcome the geographic and communication barriers that make it challenging to forge partnerships, and how to facilitate the exchange of resources and information between downtown and suburban groups.
The Bridging the Gap discussion notes are available online on the Neighbourhood Arts Network website or here: NAN_Bridging the Gap_April 2011
We hope these notes will help you in your efforts to connect with other arts communities in Toronto.
If you have any questions or if there is anything you would like to add to our “Bridging the Gap” discussion please contact skye@torontoarts.org
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Katie Fry is the Spring 2011 Research Intern at the Neighbourhood Arts Network
