The 2020 finalists of the Community Arts Award are...

Jamii

Since 2011, The Esplanade – one of downtown Toronto’s most diverse communities – has been enlivened by the local arts group Jamii (Swahili for “community”). Through the production of over 120 memorable arts-based experiences that recognize and celebrate all people and genders while nurturing female leadership, Jamii strengthens community and lifts spirits.

Read their interview here.
Website

MUSE ARTS

MUSE ARTS (a.k.a Sick Muse Art Projects) works to increase support, access and visibility to immigrant, refugee and newcomer artists and their communities. They develop community art programs that integrate arts and social justice, including HAPPENING Multicultural, the annual Multi-Arts Festival, the creation of community murals, and their international Community Arts Residence and Cultural Exchange Program.

Read their interview here.
Website

Unit 2

Unit 2 is an arts and community space that is run by a collective of artist-activists whose affiliations span the QT2S (Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit), BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), mad, and crip communities. They centre and serve artists-activists with any or all of these affiliations, thus supporting and investing in their core community with a “for us, by us” approach.

Read their interview here.
Website

Finalist portraits adapted by Amber Williams-King.

Learn more about other 2020 Toronto arts Foundation Awards finalists here.