IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EAST END ARTS RECEIVES FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE TO GROW #EASTENDLOVE IN EAST TORONTO COMMUNITIES
#EastEndLove, a collaborative art project that uses stencil screen-printed art to spread messages of acceptance and love, receives support from Government of Canada.
TORONTO, June 18, 2019 – East End Arts is delighted to announce that it has received a grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program (CSMARI). The grant will directly support and fund a full roll-out of the #EastEndLove project, a collaborative, community arts project, which began as a pilot initiative funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
Artistically-led by artist Lara Lucretia (Jakarundi Graphics), #EastEndLove is a community-engaged public art project that invites community members to collaborate through guided discussions and the creation of screen printed artworks, which depict messages of acceptance, anti-hate, and love: “A beautifully executed community arts workshop… Just what we needed today,” – #EastEndLove Program Participant.
The CSMARI Program supports projects that build on Canada’s strength as a diverse and inclusive society. As such, #EastEndLove was born as a response to the increase in discriminatory discourse and vandalism in the east Toronto community, and aims to unite community members while building stronger, more inclusive and responsive communities at large.
To date, East End Arts has presented four community workshops with over 60 participants from diverse backgrounds, neighbourhoods, and generations. The new funding from Canadian Heritage will allow East End Arts to present a full roll-out of the #EastEndLove project, including six additional community workshops, a final group exhibition, and an Impact Report.
“#EastEndLove has shown the value of community arts in bringing people together around big issues affecting our city. The #EastEndLove workshops have produced not only an array of timely and relevant visual art, but also have helped to build connections between different parts of our community, and unravel the impacts of racist systems and incidents. It’s good news that more funding has been awarded to this important work!” says Lara Lucretia, Lead Artist, Jakarundi Graphics.
“Our Government believes in the power of diverse, inclusive communities, which is why we support initiatives like the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program. Over the years I have seen how much East End Arts has grown and builds communities, and that is why I am extremely happy to be supporting this timely, important project in east Toronto, and look forward to the next phase of #EastEndLove,” says MP for Toronto-Danforth, Julie Dabrusin.
East End Arts would like to thank local grassroots organization, East Enders Against Racism, for helping to shape #EastEndLove. To learn more about the #EastEndLove project, including upcoming workshops and exhibition dates, please visit: https://eastendarts.ca/eastendlove/
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Contact Information:
Chelsea Cameron-Fikis, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, East End Arts
647-715-2150 X 2 | chelsea@eastendarts.ca
Further information, photos, and interviews are available upon request.
About:
East End Arts
East End Arts is a non-profit community arts organization that serves the east end of Toronto. We provide inclusive arts programming and events to our local communities, including youth, newcomers, seniors and priority groups. We also provide professional development opportunities to both emerging and established artists and arts organizations. For more information, please visit www.eastendarts.ca