ARTSWEEK: WHAT IS IT?
In January, Toronto Arts Council Foundation acquired the
ArtsWeek trademark and set out to create an annual, signature
event to better promote the national treasure that is Toronto’s
arts sector.
ArtsWeek 2004 (September 23 – October 3) is a big
first step toward achieving this vital objective. Attendance
at hundreds of events in hundreds of places in every part
of the City is expected to exceed 1 million.
Mayor David Miller has proclaimed ArtsWeek 2004 an official
City event and invites the City to a Giant ArtsWeek Kickoff
at Nathan Phillips Square at noon on September 23. Celebrities
and artists from all over town are scheduled to entertain.
Produced by Toronto Arts Council Foundation and Toronto
Arts Coalition, this festival will be promoted throughout
the city, Southern Ontario and New York State. It will encourage
people to attend arts events in their neighbourhoods, take
in events in other parts of the city, check out arts disciplines
they don’t normally take in. It will encourage people
to visit Toronto. It will serve to draw the attention of
governments to the value that our arts sector delivers to
our society.
Starting August 20, Festival goers will be able to access
ArtsWeek listings at www.ArtsWeek.ca.
ArtsWeek Passports, which promote the festival and encourage
people to visit the ArtsWeek site for complete listing of
events and news, will be distributed on August 25 to LCBO
outlets, Tourism Ontario Info Centres in Ontario, various
outlets in Rochester and on the Ferry, Toronto Public Library
branches, civic and recreation centres, Toronto arts services,
Toronto Eaton Centre, First Canadian Place, and select stores
located at various business improvement areas: Greektown
on the Danforth, St. Clair West, Old Cabbagetown, Gerrard
India Bazaar, Weston, Queen-Broadview.
The Passport will also feature prizes that offer significant
value. They include free movies for a year through a Famous
Players Big Card, a $1000 shopping spree at Eaton Centre,
passes to Hot Docs and the Worldwide Short Film Festival,
opening night theatre tickets, Harbourfront Centre entertainment
package and Greektown dollars. Prize ballot boxes will be
located at ArtsWeek event locations. Prize draw will take
place October 8.
Artists and organizations are encouraged to visit www.ArtsWeek.ca
to post their events if they are taking place between September
23 and October 3.
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