Torontoartscoalition Newsletter

Edition # 7

February 17, 2004

This is the Toronto Arts Coalition Newsletter – a newsletter for those who care about the health of the arts in Toronto.You are receiving this Newsletter because you subscribed when you joined Toronto Arts Coalition.

The Coalition Newsletter has a new format. We know you're busy, so we've sent story leads only in this message. Click 'more' to get the article in full on the Toronto Arts Coalition site.

CITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS $1 MILLION INCREASE TO ARTS

Toronto’s arts community received a strong endorsement February 10 when the Economic Development and Parks Committee of the City of Toronto recommended a $1 million funding increase to Toronto Arts Council (TAC) for a total 2004 budget request of $9,907,930.

“The Committee granted TAC an important first step in the budget process.” says Susan Wright, Director of Operations of Toronto Arts Council/Foundation. (more)

ALL-ARTS SITE CONTINUES TO GROW

Toronto Arts Online is fast becoming Toronto’s most comprehensive all-arts source of event information. Visitors, residents and media can find out what’s happening now and far into the future. Producers and presenters (even venues) can post or edit information whenever it’s ready. Toronto Arts Online is also the official events site for ArtsWeek 2004. (more)

SPEAK UP FOR THE ARTS - CBC WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

As City of Toronto moves toward completion of this year’s budget process, CBC Radio's Metro Morning is asking Toronto to weigh in on how the City’s money should be spent. This is a powerful opportunity to get Toronto arts on the air waves. (more)

COALITION CELEBRATES 1st BIRTHDAY

Toronto Arts Coalition was one-year old on February 5, as were all the other programs of the Great Arts/Great City Initiative, launched last year in a ceremony at City Hall, hosted by Karen Kain and David Mirvish.

There are now more than 3000 members of the Coalition. Much of 2003 was focused on making sure elected officials at all levels understand the value of Toronto’s struggling arts sector to all Canadians. The Coalition had a lot to do with the $200,000 increase in base funding to the arts through Toronto Arts Council. With good effort, greater gains can be achieved in 2004. (more)

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR ARTSWEEK 2004?

ArtsWeek 2004 kicks off Friday, September 24, for a ten-day run, produced for the first time by Toronto Arts Coalition. That’s us.

Please mark your calendars and start thinking about what you’ll be doing then to celebrate the arts in Toronto. ArtsWeek is Canada’s largest all-arts festival. ArtsWeek includes all the arts all across the City—in theatres, galleries, parks, schools, neighborhoods—even shopping centres. Put on a show or go to one. Make art or buy some. Talk it up. (more)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT TACF

Looking for alternative ways to invest in the arts? Consider volunteering with our parent organization, the Toronto Arts Council Foundation (TACF). We are in need of help with administration work (data entry, database clean-up, Toronto Arts Online event entry, etc.), research, writing, event planning, event day staffing and even more exciting stuff. (more)

Please forward this newsletter to your friends.

Our collective voice and efforts can raise awareness of the importance of our artists to our society and ensure they have the tools they need to do their best work.