We are every excited to announce that Work in Culture has received an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Seed Grant! This grant will allow Work in Culture to conduct a needs assessment study to learn more about the experience of newcomers and immigrant creatives trying to build careers in the arts in Toronto, and what challenges and opportunities they may come across in doing so.
About the Project: Navigating a Career in the Arts (2019/2020)
Based on previous programming, partnerships, and research, we have identified a need among newcomer and immigrant creative professionals in Toronto — there is a great deal of uncertainty around how to start, resume, or expand a career in the arts and culture sector. While resources exist, it is not clear to what degree they are accessed and used by the target community. As part of Work in Culture’s learning, we expect to gain a better knowledge of the current systems, centres, organizations and opportunities in place that support newcomers and immigrants in our sector. Furthermore, we expect to learn what elements may be missing from this equation and how Work in Culture could support and expand on these efforts.
Between Fall 2019 and Summer 2020, Work in Culture will conduct several interviews with industry experts and hold a series of facilitated roundtable discussions with key individuals and stakeholders. Collected findings and insights will be summarized into a report with proposed next steps and action items.
We see an opportunity to create a more concerted effort to build the capacity of the sector by addressing the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to support newcomer and immigrant creative professionals in their pursuit of developing fulfilling careers in art and culture, and joining the next generation of artistic leaders.
Advisory Committee/Partners
This project is supported by an advisory committee who will review and contribute to the development and delivery of this study. Work in Culture is pleased to be working with the following organizations:
Airsa
Immigrant Writers Association
Institute for Creative Exchange
Paralia Newcomer Arts Network
Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council
Neighbourhood Arts Network
We look forward to sharing more information about this project and the outcomes. To keep updated on the project progress and related activities, please sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
If you have any questions about the project please contact Stephanie Draker, Program Manager at [email protected].