Arts in the Parks 2021 Announcement
Normally Arts in the Parks officially launches its season on June 15. We wanted to take the opportunity to reach out and let you know about the current COVID-19 pandemic regulations and its effects on our programming this year.
Toronto Arts Foundation has been working hard to make sure that we keep our communities updated, informed and safe. Arts in the Parks is a vital initiative for our city and in this time of ongoing safety restrictions and social distancing, there is still uncertainty about how events will move forward. Similar to 2020, the City of Toronto announced the cancellation and postponement of all City-led major mass participation events, festivals, conferences and cultural programs, and all City permits for major mass participation events organized by external groups at civic centres and squares, public spaces (including road closures) through September 6, 2021. At this point, this also includes arts events in parks. Toronto Arts Foundation is proud of the City’s efforts to protect Torontonians during this crucial phase of vaccinations and gradual reopening, but Arts in the Parks will again look different for 2021. Our subsidiary program Arts in the Parks Anyplace will launch in July featuring exciting online performances and interactive digital events from groups throughout the summer.
While permits have been cancelled until September 6, we are working closely with our partners at the City to align the opening of park spaces for performances in accordance with the Province’s Three-Step re-opening framework. We are hopeful that small park events, with strongly implemented health and safety guidelines, may be able to proceed in August and we will keep everyone updated as we receive more information.
Arts in the Parks is a place of gathering and connection. We’ve been talking with our communities and artists and we’re again working together towards creative solutions to postpone planned events or re-imagine them to be safe for participation in the near future. Although much is changing day-by-day, one thing that hasn’t changed is our belief that Arts in the Parks will continue to be an important part of this recovery period of the pandemic: a free, accessible program that will bring neighbours and families together, led by our brilliant artists and cultural workers.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us directly at aitp@torontoarts.org.
Stay safe, stay healthy
The Arts in the Parks Team