East End Arts is a non-profit community arts organization that serves the east end of Toronto. We provide inclusive arts programming, events and services to our local communities, and we provide professional development opportunities to both emerging and established artists and arts organizations.

OUR VISION

“To unite, inspire and enhance the communities of east Toronto with the transformative power of the arts.”

OUR PASSION

Creativity, Community, Everywhere

As a Community Arts Organization, we believe that Community Arts can be a tool for bridging the space between professional artists and communities; for empowering community members and artists alike to make their communities in east Toronto more vibrant and inspiring places. We value opportunities to create and share together, because we believe that when we share our stories and hear the stories of our neighbours, we develop understanding, build community, and inspire one another.

Through our programs and events we aim to challenge our viewers and ourselves to think big, challenge issues, and reimagine public spaces, communities, and neighbourhoods in new and innovative ways. From large-scale murals to art workshops for adults and seniors, from monthly online artist spotlights to zine programs for Gen Z youth, we are proud of the diversity of programs and services that we offer to our diverse communities.

OUR SERVICE AREA

Our service area currently includes wards 14 and 19, which are loosely defined to the north by the Don Valley Parkway and Sunrise Avenue, as far south as Lake Ontario, as far west as Don Valley Parkway, and as far east as Victoria Park Avenue.

The east end is an area that is brimming with artists, arts and cultural organizations, and a wide array of creative communities and projects. The neighbourhoods we serve include Blake-Jones, Broadview North, Crescent Town, Danforth Village, Dawes Road, East Chinatown, East Danforth, East York, Greektown, Greenwood-Coxwell, Little India, Leslieville, O’Connor Parkview, Old East Danforth, Pape Village, Parkview Hills, The Pocket, Riverdale, Riverside, Studio District, Toronto Beaches, Topham Park, West Danforth, Woodbine Gardens, Woodbine-Lumsden, and more!

OUR VALUES

1. Inclusion and Accessibility
   We believe in eliminating barriers and providing access to everyone
   We value diversity, inclusion & equity
   We respect everyone’s unique differences
2. Well-being and Understanding
   We believe art can improve health, happiness & well-being
   We believe art can be a means to tackle difficult topics & promote understanding
   We value the magic and joy of storytelling through art
3. Creativity and Innovation
   We value artistic excellence, imagination & experimentation
   We believe that artistic expression is good for individuals, communities & cultures
   We believe in innovation and leadership
4. Collaboration and Generosity
   We value reciprocity, honesty & accountability
   We believe in healthy partnerships and relationships
   We believe in sharing knowledge, resources & networks to strengthen our community
5. Sustainability and Responsibility
   We respect the land and resources of our community
   We believe in making long-term investments for the future
   We believe in reducing waste, reusing resources & having a gentle footprint

OUR HISTORY

East End Arts (EEA) is the city’s sixth Local Arts Service Organization (LASO), a group of organizations funded in part by the City of Toronto to serve a specific geographic area. The role of LASOs is to encourage artistic growth in both emerging and established artists, contribute to the economy and local tourism, promote inclusion and equity, support healthy social change, and help create audiences for the future.

The other LASOs are: Arts Etobicoke, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts, and UrbanArts. Each group has unique programs that respond to the specific needs of their areas. For more information about LASOs, click HERE.

The City of Toronto recommended the formation of an East York LASO in the 2011 Creative Capital Gains Report. Following this recommendation, a steering group of 10-15 volunteers met regularly, with occasional input from another 100 interested stakeholders, until East End Arts was officially launched in 2013.

OUR PRIORITY GROUPS

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at East End Arts, and we are committed to ensuring that our programs and services are accessible and available to those who need it most. Equity-seeking groups are those that identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination and actively seek social justice and reparation. Our Equity-seeking and priority groups at East End Arts are as follows:

• Local East Toronto Residents
• Female/Non-Binary Identifying Individuals
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black People
• People of Colour
• People living with Disabilities and/or Mental Illnesses
• LGBTQ2+ Individuals
• Newcomers
• Seniors
• Youth Members
• Low Income Community Members
• High Density Tower Community Members
• Crescent Town Community Members
• Bengali Community Members

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

East End Arts acknowledges that our work takes place on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. East Toronto is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

In keeping with those treaties, East End Arts is committed to the ongoing stewardship of this land. One of the ways we do this is by striving to create waste free programming, and we encourage those of you working in our shared spaces (like parks) to do the same. Another of the ways we do this is by encouraging the telling of stories and the making of art that engages directly with the landscape in our neighbourhoods, because we know that a greater understanding of that landscape will lead to a greater respect for the traditional stewards of this land, to whom we are so deeply indebted.