Art Starts Workshops 2018
Snacks and light refreshments will be provided
Tokens available upon request
Accessible space
All gender washrooms
Project Management 101
So you have a great idea for a project but where do you begin? A solid work plan is the first step to determining how smoothly and efficiently your project will run and the impact it will have. This workshop will introduce you to the basic concepts of project management and the simple tools you can use to get your idea off the ground, while ensuring you reach your specific goals. Bring your ideas because in this 2 hours session we will use our collective knowledge to workshop new ideas and jump start your project.
Melissa Foster
Program and Outreach Manager at North York ArtsMelissa holds a Community Arts Practice Certificate and BA (hons) in Theatre Studies from York University, and a post-graduate degree diploma in Arts Management from Western University. Melissa has collaborated on numerous community arts projects and facilitated arts programs both abroad and in Toronto. Her primary focus is on the development and implementation of public art and community driven, arts-based programming. Melissa has over 10 years working in the public sector, primarily as a Youth Worker and Front-line Worker for various shelters and supportive housing programs in Toronto. It is here that she began to use her artistic background as a way to engage communities. It is through this experience that she now finds herself with as the Program and Outreach Manager at North York Arts. She is excited to be working on initiatives that provide opportunities for artists to participation within the wider community, across sectors and contribute to Toronto’s vibrant and diverse art scene.
Creative Healthy Food for Programs
Tired of serving chopped fruit, carrots & hummus, and cheese sticks to your program participants? Join us during this fun, informative, and interactive class as host Drew Hemler discusses creative meal & snack solutions. We’ll learn and apply three simple rules to help transform a boring snack station into a flavourful nutritious nook. Cost, preparation time, and attendees all considered.
Drew Hemler, MS, RD (US), CDN (NY)
Nutritionist & Food Product ConsultantDrew Hemler, MS, RD (US), CDN is a U.S. registered dietitian nutritionist, university course instructor of nutrition and dietetics, and a New York state based private practice owner who provides individualized medical nutrition therapy services, community and corporate wellness programs, ‘family food’ workshops, and food product consulting services. Drew specializes in weight management, cardiovascular health, diabetes, sports nutrition, and vegetarian diets while considering cost, culture, [health] conditions, and kitchen skills of each client. Additionally, Drew is Communications Editor for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, assisting in state-level regulatory and public relations communications. Drew is very passionate about helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle which includes well-balanced dietary patterns and mindful eating behaviors. “Make it simple, colourful, and flavourful without sacrificing practicality and the expense of time and money.
Krafting LGBTQ Safe Spaces
How do we create a safe place where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer communities, as well as all the intersecting identities, feel welcome and comfortable?
Why is it a necessity?
How would your project benefit from it?
Krafty Queers will lead participants in exploring these questions through an applied conversation and arts-based workshop. We can build together.
Kamika Peters
Kamika Peters is a multi-media artist working in community arts. Currently, they are developing their skills as a ceramist, a performer, and a creative director. They are interested in their co-existence with oppressive social constructs. Some sites of this exploration are Sketch Working Arts and the Drag Musical. Unconditional housing, access to clinical therapy, cultural activities within non-clinical community spaces, and inter-generational mentorship are some of the ways they believe allyship for community can happen.
Social Media and Marketing
A simple and fun 101 workshop to help you build your artistic brand, grow your audience, and break through the social media noise in today's rapidly evolving engagement economy landscape.
Jason Maghanoy
Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships | NOW MagazineJason Maghanoy is a graduate of McGill University and the National Theatre School of Canada’s Playwriting Program. Currently, he is the Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at NOW Magazine, leading a digital transformation of one of the most respected media companies in Canada. Prior to NOW, he was the Senior Development Officer, Corporate Partnerships at Canadian Stage, the Manager, Community Investment at Toronto Arts Foundation, and a Sponsorship & Advertising Coordinator at TIFF.
In addition to his work in corporate partnership development and community engagement, Jason is considered one of the brightest emerging leaders in the City of Toronto. He is a Mentor at Ryerson's Social Ventures Zone, a member of CivicAction’s Mental Health in the Workplace Champions Council, the Chair of the ArtReach Toronto Steering Committee, and a member of the Work In Culture Inclusive Leadership Advisory Committee and Board of Directors. He was also a member of the NXT City Advisory Board, and an artsVest corporate sponsorship mentor for Business for the Arts.
Jason is also a playwright. He has been the playwright-in-residence at Theatre Passe Muraille and Young People's Theatre, a member of the Banff Playwrights Colony, a former member of the Tarragon Playwrights Unit, a Finalist for the Soulpepper Academy, a Finalist for the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwriting Fellowship at Juilliard, and a Finalist for the 2017 K.M. Hunter Artist Awards. Currently, he is the playwright-in-residence at fu-GEN and was a member of the Playwrights Retreat at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival this past season.
Effective Outreach
So you’ve spent hours and days designing your project and you’re ready to get started… now what?
We tend to spend a lot of time developing our projects to perfection, but forget the most important part – reaching out to the people that could benefit from them the most. In this workshop, we’ll work on defining your audience, developing a pitch, and creating a solid outreach plan to connect with the right people to support your programs.
Don’t let all of your hard work go unnoticed!
Jasmine Baker
Program Consultant | TakingITGlobal (TIG)Jay supports outreach and engagement across a range of national and international projects and platforms. Working with youth, she is responsible for ensuring TIG's programs are accessible and inclusive to diverse communities around the world. Through these efforts, she has helped to launch national and global campaigns with DoSomething.org, Canada Service Corps, and Adobe Systems Inc.
Jay has also facilitated workshops at the United Nations on using creativity for social impact and has guest lectured at the University of Winnipeg, York U and George Brown College on equity and models for social change. She holds a B.A. from Western University in Political Science and Sociology and completed her International Development Certificate at Humber College in 2015.
From Conception to Paper: Grant-Writing 101
Crafted to give you the basics of securing funding for your creative projects, this workshop is made for the modern artist. Grant-Writing 101 will help you gain an idea of how to secure funding for your project, no matter how large or small.
Sari Zon
Head of Development | Art StartsSari Zon is a professional grant writer with a high level of expertise in arts granting systems in Ontario. She has a comprehensive understanding of the TAC, OAC and CCA systems, as well as other government bodies, private foundations and corporations. Sari will take you through the entire grant writing process from the idea stage, budgeting and grant writing through to execution and reporting on the project.
In Sari’s personal practice, she is a working Visual Artist in encaustic painting. Her works are held in private and corporate collections across North America. She is also an established arts educator, mentor and juror. Sari holds a BA(hons) in Fine Arts Studies from York University.
Plan for Success: The Basics of Arts-Based Event Planning
In this workshop, we will explore the basics of planning a successful arts-based event - be it an evening of live performances, a week-long visual art exhibit, a one-night fundraiser or a combination of all of those things!
Devon Potter
Devon Potter, Certified Wedding Coordinator | Event Planner | Stage ManagerDevon Potter, a freelance Event Planner and Stage Manager based in Toronto, will take attendees through the most important steps of planning and executing an event, from initial concept through to scheduling, budgeting and how to make your event unique and memorable even when you're working with a tiny arts-sized budget.
Public Speaking
Are you terrified of public speaking? Do you want to participate in class or at work but you're scared the words won't come out? Do you feel like people want to fall asleep every time you speak? HERE'S THE WORKSHOP FOR YOU! In this workshop we will give you the necessary tools so you can communicate more comfortably at work, at social gatherings, or any other environment! We will also introduce you to basic public speaking concepts (as well as vocal variety, body language, and breathing techniques) so you can reduce nervousness, break the ice with humour, and be a more captivating speaker! Get out of your comfort zone and sign up already!
Juan Cajiao & Stephan Dyer
Mal Pensado, Stand-up ComedyStephan Dyer and Juan Cajiao are bilingual, professional comedians and public speaking coaches born in Costa Rica and Colombia, respectively. Founders of the only Spanish Comedy Club in Canada (MalPensando - Club de Comedia Canadá) and with +300 local and international shows under their belt, Juan and Stephan were awarded Best Latin Comedians 2017 by Latin Awards Canada. Their comedy and public speaking school in Toronto has taught courses to over 150 students in Toronto in the last 2 years. In 2018, Stephan and Juan will tour Peru, Mexico, Miami, Costa Rica and Colombia - increasing their international show count to 9 countries. For more info, follow Stephan and Juan on social media at @stephandyer, @juan_cajiao_comedy and @malpensando!
Stephan Dyer | Comedian & Public Speaking Coach
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MalPensando - Club de Comedia Canadá | CoFounder
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