Giving Tuesday: The Animation Project Online Premiere
The Animation Project Online Premiere
A LIVE Giving Tuesday event!
About the Program
North York Arts and the Toronto Animated Image Society are excited to present The Animation Project Online Premiere! Tune in on December 1st to hear from participants and see their final projects.
This is an exciting opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of our programs that pivoted online in March. This event is also in the spirit of Giving Tuesday – we encourage you to donate to support our programs!
The Animation Project was a 12-week digital animation course for participants 55+ that began in the spring. Not only were participants taught animation and design techniques, but they had the opportunity to share and collaborate with one another through meaningful storytelling and discussions.
This film is a final reflection piece to capture the creative process and self-expression journey.
Date: December 1st
Time: 6pm
Can’t make it at 6pm? Join TAIS on their YouTube channel at 8pm! CLICK HERE
Funded By:
Program Partner:
Program Part of:
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
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The Space Between (Nuit Blanche 2020)
The Space Between
Part of Nuit Blache 2020
“It had never before occurred to me that I too could cease to exist, and now a part of me feared being forgotten. How easy it would be to forget an invisible person.”
North York Arts is excited to be participating in Nuit Blanche 2020! We’ve partnered with Cinematoscape, an award-winning local digital media company, to showcase The Space Between.
The Space Between, an award-winning play written by Simeon Taole, explores the theme of distance – physical, emotional, and cultural. A young boy in South Africa longs to reunite with his childhood sweetheart in Canada before the space between them separates them forever.
In 2016, Cinematoscape and North York Arts co-presented The Space Between in Toronto. Cinematoscape conducted interviews, in both Canada and South Africa, inviting people to share their experience of the space between. Today, we share these voices and new stories as part of a continued exploration of the space between, a theme with even greater resonance in 2020. Ultimately, the presentation showcases our shared humanity, and the resilience and hope within us all.
Tune in on October 3rd at 7:00 pm as they meditate on distance and connection, and how people bridge the space between, pre and post pandemic. Through a collection of shared stories, they explore the ways people have experienced this space.
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
NYA Colours
NYA Colours
Six feet apart, but more together than ever!
North York got a pop of colour in August 2020 when local artist Jieun June Kim (@junekima.rt) transformed Mel Lastman Square’s amphitheatre with her vibrant artwork. Jieun used spray chalk with custom stencils to mark safe seating areas and bring beautiful rainbow colours to the square.
We hope you had a chance to see the #NYAColours social distancing artwork.Check out this video for a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse of the project.
Thanks to our partners at Art of Festivals and Cinematoscape for helping to make this posssible!
NYA Colours Gallery
In partnership with:
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Toronto Mycelial Network
Toronto Mycelial Network
#InvisibleNetworkTO
An art project to participate in at home
Follow along here: @torontomycelialnetwork
The Toronto Mycelial Network is a city-wide art project to remind us that while we are physically distant – we remain connected as individuals, as communities, and as a city!
We invite all Torontonians to spend this time making any interpretation of a mushroom and post it on social media using the hashtag #InvisibleNetworkTO and tagging @torontomycelialnetwork.
Why a mushroom? Mushrooms can be a great distance apart but are connected to the same invisible network. So, like a mushroom, let’s connect while we remain physically apart!
See below for more information on the Mycelial Network and how to participate.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
- Make a mushroom of any size, shape, or dimension! If you want, document your process!
- Post on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtag #InvisibleNetworkTO and tag @torontomycelialnetwork
- Follow @torontomycelialnetwork to watch the invisible network grow!
- Sign up for our NYA Newsletter to be notified about more Toronto Mycelial Network-related news.
What is a Mycelial Network?
“Underneath the soil a vast and interconnected network of life that links the trees and other plants through their root system. This network is made up of fungi (mushrooms) with massive and far-reaching threads called Mycelium”
Want to learn more? Check out the 3 minute video:
How should I make my mushroom?
Mushrooms can be made from anything you’d like! It can be made from felt, papier-mache, origami or whatever art supplies (or non-art supplies!) you find in your cupboards. This is a chance to channel your creativity!
How do I share my mushroom?
Share your mushrooms on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #InvisibleNetworkTO
and tag @torontomycelialnetwork It’s that simple!
Don’t have social media? Send your mushroom by email to info@northyorkarts.org – please include your name.
Check out the NYA staff creations!
The Toronto Mycelial Network was created and initiated by East End Arts, and has been supported by our family of LASOs to expand and grow the network to all corners of Toronto! Members from any community in the city of Toronto and beyond are invited to join all of us in making a mushroom at home, and being connected in times of social distancing. the other LASOs: North York Arts, Arts Etobicoke, Lakeshore Arts, Scarborough Arts and Urban Arts.
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Mentor in Residence
NYA partnered with Neighbourhood Arts Network to present Mentor-in-Residence Program.
Due to COVID-19, many artists have been forced to cancel and postpone event based presentations and exhibitions, causing many barriers for artists in re-designing showcases and event-based artistic programs.
The Mentor in Residence program assists artists with developing community arts practices by providing mentorship support in career planning, project development and entrepreneurial skills through virtual consultation sessions with industry professionals.
Watch the video to meet the NYA Mentors Melissa Foster and Cecilia Garcia!
Other participating organizations are: Urban Arts, Scarborough Arts, Cyborg Circus Project, WorkinCulture, Tangled Arts, Airsa, and Jessica Watkin
Visit https://neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org/programs/mentor-in-residence for mentorship specialty areas, mentor bios, and more information.
Mentor meetings are being delivered over Zoom and phone calls while we observe social distancing. Let us know if there is a different method of technology that works best for you by emailing eva@torontoarts.org.
Sign up for this program has ended
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Cultural Hotspot | Date TBD
Cultural Hotspot
NOTICE: Timelines and program plans are currently being adapted due to COVID-19. Please check back for updates.
2020 details coming soon!
Cultural Hotspot 2016
In 2016, North York Arts was a signature partner on Cultural Hotspot. We programmed and participated in several projects including:
- My Art My New Land
My Art My New Land was a free improv workshop series created to help newcomer artists face and overcome challenges in a new culture
- Snapd Photo Project
Youth learned the basics of photography in a workshop facilitated by a professional photographer. Program took place is several areas of North York including: Jane-Finch-Sheppard, Don Valley Village, Downsview, and Flemingdon Park
- Launch of Lee Lifeson Art park
NYA and hotspot celebrated the inaugural season of the Lee Lifeson Art Park in Willowdale – Toronto’s first park offering performing and visual arts to the public.
- 5th Anniversary / Hotspot closing party
NYA celebrated their 5-year anniversary with Cultural Hotspot’s closing party with various speakers, artists, and performances
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Northbound: Narrative Lines | 2021
NOTICE: Exhibition Postponed due to COVID-19. Date TBD.
Narrative lines
by: Sahar Abdallah
“Narrative lines” is a series of illustrations that draw on poems written by Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish. Sahar uses her artwork to bring Darwish’s words to life. Narrative Lines aims to draw parallels between illustration and poetry while sharing and celebrating a part of Palestinian culture with the public, especially children.
About Sahar Abdallah
Sahar Abdallah is an award-winning children’s book illustrator who grew up in Egypt and now lives in Toronto. Since 2007, Sahar has worked with various publishers in the Arab region, using collage as her most common technique. Sahar often finds her inspiration in her cat!
Contact: cecilia@northyorkarts.org
Price: Free
Program Partners
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Northbound: Unsettled | 2021
NOTICE: Exhibition Postponed due to COVID-19. Date TBD.
Unsettled
by: Anahita Akhavan
Unsettled explores the relationship between self and place. This body of work, which Anahita began in response to her migration to Canada, illustrates her inner conflicts and cultural dysphoria in a colonial landscape. The self-portraits explore her own story as an Iranian woman, as well as how it relates to the broader experiences of women and immigration. Her fractured features take on a disquieting, eerie cast, viscerally evoking the discomfort of being caught “between” and “Unsettled.”
About Anahita Akhavan
Anahita Akhavan is a Toronto-based artist, born and raised in Tehran, Iran. Anahita’s practice investigates the dialogue between personal identity and social reality. Her paintings explore issues of immigration, displacement, ethnography, gender, and human consciousness. Anahita holds a BFA from the University of Tehran and an MFA from the University of Saskatchewan. Anahita has participated in international solo and group shows, and she currently teaches at the Toronto School of Art.
Contact: cecilia@northyorkarts.org
Price: Free
Program Partners
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network
Northbound: Unraveling Dreamscapes | 2021
NOTICE: Exhibition Postponed due to COVID-19. Date TBD.
Unraveling Dreamscapes
by: Aqsah Shah
The exhibition explores the concepts of surrealism, the human subconscious, and dream interpretation. Aqsah uses surrealist techniques juxtaposed by images of underwater life to symbolize potent yet not entirely fathomable subconscious possibilities, while also exploring themes pertinent to her own lived experiences. Her work gives the audience insight into thoughts that move through our dreamscape; she invites viewers to look beyond the outside world and focus on their inner selves.
About Aqsah Shah
Aqsah Shah is a visual artist. Born in Toronto, she acquired her BFA degree from Beaconhouse National University in Lahore, Pakistan, before returning to Toronto to pursue a career in art. Her work takes inspiration from the impact of dreams on human reality and vice versa. The unification between the dreamscape and real-life in her work is shown predominantly through subaquatic symbols and void-like imagery.
Contact: cecilia@northyorkarts.org
Price: Free
Program Partners
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network