ArtworksTO Workforce Development Roundtable offers a unique platform for networking and the exchange of innovative ideas to advance workforce development in arts and culture and the creative economy.

This event is a continuation of the strong partnership between the Toronto Arts Foundation, OCAD University and the City of Toronto (Social Development Finance & Administration), and an expanded collaboration with Arts and Culture Services from the City’s Economic Development & Culture division.

Participants from Toronto's creative industries, culture, and education sectors will engage in insightful discussions, have the chance to hear a special keynote presentation, enjoy a catered lunch, and take part in focused breakout group sessions. These sessions are designed to address key challenges and opportunities within the industry and drive progress in workforce development.

Breakout session topics include:

Research & Data: Exploring available resources, identifying gaps, and discussing strategies for data consolidation and utilization.
Facilitator: Wendy Ng, PhD Student, Education Consultant, Author of Championing change, cultural shifts & strategies that transform organizations
Resource Lead: Miriam Kramer, OCAD University, Executive Director, Government & Community Relations and Public Policy

Improving Artists' Working Conditions: Addressing the unique challenges faced by artists in the gig economy and discussing potential supports.
Facilitator: Kadon Douglas, Executive Director, Hire BIPOC TV & Film

Policy Development & Visioning: Imagining what our institutions could or should do to better support workforce development for equity-deserving artists.
Facilitator: Tony Gebrehiwot, Visual artist, photographer and community leader
Resource Lead: Kris Erickson, Research

Employer & Industry Engagement: Discussing strategies for better engaging employers and industries, and considering the potential for coordinated efforts.
Facilitator: Biju Pappachan

The Transformative Power of Mentorship: Exploring how mentorship can cultivate creative careers through guidance and support.
Facilitator: Rebecca Harrison, Executive Director, Unity Charity
Resource Lead: Emma Kaputo, Managing Director, Kickback

Interested? RSVP today! 

AGENDA

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One-on-One portfolio Consultations In partnership with Mentor In Residence

Do you need to take your porfolio to the next level? In these sessions, you will be able to share your current or existing portfolio for valuable feedback. Sessions are available on a first come, first served basis. Book a 30min consultation session with our Portfolio mentor today! 

Portfolio Mentor:

Mary Anne (Mare) Garcia (she/her) is a Canadian Filipinx product/furniture designer and creative director behind Space Queen Studio - a Toronto-based home goods studio where cute 'n kitschy meets pop culture but with a succulent green twist. Garcia’s creative practice is guided by her fascination with building, experimentation, and material exploration. She is a recipient of COFO design’s inaugural furniture design challenge, and an advocate of slow and ethical design. Her work looks to transform ordinary interactions through playfulness and greenery

*No longer available: Portfolio Consultations geared towards pre-application support for ArtWorksTO.

*Available starting March 6: Portfolio Consultations for general purposes, through our Mentor in Residence program.

Missed our portfolio training? Don't fret, we have you covered. Check out out the recording! 

OCAD Portfolio Training 

A Guide to Building a Strong Portfolio | click here for the recording

As an artist entrepreneur, it’s important that your portfolio tells a compelling story about you. It’s what employers, clients, granting agencies, or educators look at to understand your skills, interests, and passions. 

ArtWorksTO invites media artists who are Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth (ages 18-29) to participate in portfolio training and to connect with OCAD U creative professionals. 

In this workshop you’ll learn:

How to craft your bio and artist statement
Fundamentals on presenting a strong portfolio for education, employment, and grants
How to write about your creative work
Tips on navigating your creative career from emerging creatives

Workshop Facilitator:

Maryanne Casasanta is an artist educator working in photography, video and performance. Central to her practice is the relationship between art and home, and art and life. Often documented through photos or video, performances of light gestures and subtle interventions propose ways of transforming a routine experience, promoting an active immersion—and reconsideration of—small, ordinary events. Maryanne observes other areas of research such as, process-based learning and art making, co-creation, and movement, which she explores by working alongside artists across a number of fields. She has exhibited widely and her projects have been supported by the Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council. Maryanne earned a BFA from OCAD University (Integrated Media, 2005) and holds an MFA from the University of Guelph (2014). She is currently a Master of Education candidate in the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning program at the University of Toronto.

Past Events

Workforce Development in Arts and Culture Roundtable

ArtworksTO: Skills for a Creative Future presents Workforce Development in Arts and Culture Roundtable hosted at OCAD University. This full day hybrid event will bring together leaders from across Canada working in workforce development to share work integrated  models, share insights, learnings and best practices for the arts and culture sector.  

Date: September 16, 2022  

Time: 9:30am- 2:30pm

Location: OCADU

Register Today!

Schedule 

ArtWorksTO is a partnership between Toronto Arts Foundation's Neighbourhood Arts Network (NAN), City of Toronto, The Remix Project, and Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD U).