Through the Platform A initiative, We at Art Starts are increasing our capacity to mentor emerging artists and groups. We are also developing bridging opportunities connecting underserved communities to established art organizations and institutions. To roll out this support we are happy to announce the recipients of our micro grant. These grants of up to $1000 go directly into the hands of emerging and newcomer artists and collectives who now have seed funding to get projects started, to practice skills and to experiment with creative ideas that later become more fulsome projects.
Art Starts is pleased to announce the nine recipients of the Platform A – Art Starts Microgrants below.
Ohemaa Boateng: Engaging youthful parents in conflict with the law in artistic workshops to create a recorded CD of singing, spoken words or read aloud literary works for their children
Ananna Rafa: An eco-activist public art project using recycled and found objects to create artistic sculptural planter projects across the Flemingdon and Thorncliff Park neighbourhoods to address issues of litter and public space.
Nicole Little: Mixed media art installation using the artists own work, portraits created by contributing Toronto artists and wildlife studies created by Toronto youth collaged together in a large scale visual map representing the human and animal diversity of this city.
Amefika Browne: An LGBTQ craft group called Krafty Queers will provide safe, sober, inter-generational spaces for people in the LGBTQ community to come together, connect and make art.
Lindy Kinoshameg: The creation and exhibition of a series of drawings/projection installation pieces around the concept of shape-shifting documenting the First Nations artist’s own journey from his birthplace of Manitoulin Island to his current home in Toronto.
Genito Muchochoma: Choreography of a full-length dance performance piece inspired by the life and history of Nelson Mandela performed in Toronto schools and theaters and in connection with the African diasporic community.
Toronto Wordsmiths: A Parkdale youth-led collective working together to provide ongoing creative writing and literary workshops where youth will produce a zine and event
Khydup Gyatso: Illustration workshops addressing issues of oppression. Participants will work with the artist to create a depiction inspired by their discussions and bring together a visual narrative in the form of a graphic novel and calendar
Car Martin: Installation art piece composed of modular building structures designed to be assembled by children, without the use of tools, to create a fort, permitting youth to take ownership of the space around them – can be recreated in different configurations across Toronto.
Stay tuned to find out more on how these projects develop and positively impact our Art Starts neighbourhoods!
Platform A 