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Arts in the Parks Returns to Toronto Parks for 2018

TORONTO, June 14, 2018 – For the third consecutive year, Toronto’s parks will be filled with theatre and music performances, visual arts workshops, movies, festivals and more, all for free. June 16 to September 30, 2018, Arts in the Parks will bring over 300 free arts events to more than 40 parks in North York, Etobicoke-York, Scarborough, Downtown and the East End for residents and tourists to enjoy.

The program has proved to be a favourite for local communities, with people of all ages and backgrounds coming out to experience high-quality arts events led by professional artists. Designed to encourage community building, enjoyment of local parks, and arts appreciation, Arts in the Parks ensures that residents in every corner of Toronto have access to the best the arts has to offer. By showcasing arts events in public parks, Arts in the Parks removes barriers to arts attendance including cost, location and lack of time.

The summer program kicked off on June 14, 2018 at Riverdale Park next to St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, the new home of Local Service Arts Organization East End Arts. Mayor John Tory was joined by Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30), Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation Director & CEO Claire Hopkinson and Toronto Arts Council President Nova Bhattacharya to officially launch Arts in the Parks for 2018.

Those in attendance, including participating artists and arts organizations, members of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the general public, enjoyed a dynamic performance by Korean performing arts group Ensemble Jeng Yi, who will also perform at Earl Bales Park in July as part of Arts in the Parks.

“The vision of this program is to make it possible for everybody in the city to enjoy the true creativity this city has to offer,” said John Tory, Mayor of Toronto. “This program is free and it’s designed to make sure that everybody can be a part of it….The power of this program, the power of the arts, the power of bringing people together, and the power of volunteerism – it grows every year.”

“Now in its third year, Arts in the Parks has become an essential element of summer in Toronto,” said Claire Hopkinson, Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation. “It’s really great that so many fabulous artists are returning to the same parks they have been working in year over year through Arts in the Parks. This is strengthening important relationships between green spaces, artists and the community.”

New this year, Arts in the Parks is launching a pilot program that offers a paid opportunity for local artists to lead pre-show performances ahead of featured events in a selected number of parks. This opportunity aims to further engage communities and support artists living near the selected parks. For more information on this pilot program, visit: artsintheparksto.org/participate/

Arts in the Parks is an initiative of Toronto Arts Foundation and Toronto Arts Council in partnership with Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Park People.

The full list of Arts in the Parks events can be found at www.artsintheparksto.org

Follow Arts in the Parks on social media:

  • #ArtsintheParksTO
  • Twitter: @ArtsinParksTO
  • Facebook: /artsintheparksTO
  • Instagram @artsintheparksTO

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ABOUT
Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information about Arts in the Parks or to book an interview with Claire Hopkinson, please contact: Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager at sarah@torontoarts.org or 416-392-6802×217

 

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