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Art Starts Neighbourhood Cultural Centre is a grass roots, community based storefront arts facility operating in the City of Toronto. Since Art Starts’ inception in 1992, we have offered high quality creative opportunities to those who do not have access – namely people living in underserved and stressed communities. Our mandate is to use the arts to help build healthy communities.
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HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO:
We design and deliver high quality,
meaningful, artistic experiences for people from all walks of life.
We create programming that is locally relevant and flexible in its design; adapting to
community interests, issues, and needs.
We actively seek partnerships within the communities we serve.
We draw from a team of experienced, respectful, high-caliber artists, coordinators, and assistants. |
- are a unique approach to community development
- are inexpensive or free
- celebrate diversity and harmony and build individual and community pride
- develop and enhance artistic skills and self-esteem and bestow a sense of achievement and pride in participants
- form new friendships, connections, and networks
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Places where Art Starts’ programs have taken place:
Metro housing, homeless shelters, schools, libraries, community centres, seniors organizations, health centres, social service organizations, parks, malls, festivals, stores, laundromats, Metro Housing, Art Gallery of Ontario, Harbourfront, and various outdoor venues in the Toronto area.
- Doors open: 1992
- Types of programs offered: visual arts, music, drama, dance, crafts, and more!
- Average number of programs annually: 21
- Participant age range: 0 - 90
- Number of people served in programs annually: 988
- Number of artists hired annually: 50-100
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- Art Starts is committed to using the arts to help build healthier communities.
- In all its activities, Arts Starts reflects cultural diversity in the neighbourhoods we serve.
- Our programs are inexpensive or free. No one will be turned away from an Art Starts program because of an inability to pay.
- Art Starts facilitates the making of art in a community context. We realize ourselves as authentic, unique creators. We have gifts to give; we have a place in the world.
- Art Starts facilitates the making of art in a safe and supportive environment, which contributes to emotional and social wellbeing.
- Arts Starts acts as an advocacy and referral service for artists. We maintain fee schedules and recommend these rates to organizations and individuals seeking artists for employment opportunities.
- In our programming we encompass a wide spectrum of artistic media and are open to experimentation with new forms and ways of artistic expression.
- Art Starts is committed to providing access to creative resources to people of all ages.
- We view the arts as a key factor in community economic development.
- Arts Starts is committed to building and maintaining partnerships with other local community based and social service organizations.
- Art Starts upholds the ideal of harmony among all cultural groups. We oppose all forms of discrimination based on race, class, gender, age, sexual orientation and physical ability.
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Our Funding Partners (past & present):
Ministry of Health, Human Resources Development Canada, Cultural Human Resources Council, City of Toronto; Graffiti Transformation Program & Banner Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services, Toronto Community Housing, Ontario Arts Foundation
Ontario Trillium Foundation, Toronto Arts Council, Tim Hortons, Ontario Arts Council
   
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