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Governor General of Canada Meets with Young Artists in Toronto!

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

On Saturday April 28th, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, visited the Whippersnapper Gallery to participate in a discussion with young urban artists on the ways in which art can be used to improve life in their neighbourhoods. The event was organized with ArtReach Toronto, a program designed to support arts initiatives that engage Toronto youth who have experienced exclusion. In addition to the dynamic youth who attended, high profile influential participants attended including The Honourable Mary Anne Chambers M.P.P., Minister of Children and Youth Services, Government of Ontario, as well as representatives from industry.

As one of the participants in the event, I found the discussions to be dynamic and engaging. The following is a summary of the key points that were raised:

Many of the people who spoke up during the event were connected to a range of organizations including:
- Canadian Youth Arts Network
- Freedom Clothing Collective
- 4 Unity
- HipHopportunity
- Soul Craft
- Factor
- ArtReach
- Breaking the Cycle Program
- Manifesto
- Black Ice
- Canada Dance Festival
- South Etobicoke Youth Assembly

Many of the comments made shared a common sentiment about how the arts provides a critical outlet for expression, release, connection to life, sense of appreciation and space to explore creativity. Several key issues were raised about how to better engage youth through the arts:

- There is a need for more spaces for youth to be creative and to perform (to often, spaces where musicians perform involve alcohol – making it less accessible for younger youth and in some cases, not as positive of an environment), young people need accessible and available spaces (i.e. community centres & recreation centres) that are safe and healthy, promoting creativity and community.
- There is a need for joining voices and working together ‘as one’, fostering greater linkages and connections to be made across communities (locally, nationally, globally)
- Concerns were expressed about cuts in funding for arts programs in schools
- As one of the young people said, ‘being a rapper comes with trouble’. There are not enough positive activities that young people in their late teens and early 20’s can take part in during free time – this is a reason for involvement in other types of behaviour that can lead to negative health outcomes
- The idea that ‘urban art can save lives’ was a theme that emerged during discussions. Several participants shared personal life experiences
- There is a need for more positive role models. Young artists should give back positively by being role models and mentors for younger youth in their communities and including positive messages (for example in lyrics of songs)
- There are many diverse forms of artistic expression that should be recognized (i.e. musicians, writers, painters, poets, comic, graffiti, hip hop, comic artists)
- Young people need to be exposed to the range of possible career options that are connected to the music industry, ‘not everyone can be the star of the show’. It’s important for people to acquire business expertise (i.e. communication skills, management skills etc). These are essential skills for artists to prosper.
- Talent Shows should be encouraged to showcase the diverse talents of young artists
- Someone raised the importance of addressing and naming issues of systemic racism in looking at the issues being discussed. For example, the role of women, access to education etc.
- People were encouraged to see their own role in taking action: ‘everybody thinks that somebody else is going to do something – but we’re all somebody to somebody else’
- Young people who are already motivated need to reach out to others who may lack a strong sense of self-confidence
- Young artists need both greater to resources and support. In addition to access to funds, youth need access to training, mentorship, venues, production facilities
- ‘never, ever give up’ – ‘when you show that you have the ability to be successful, everybody wants to jump on board’
- How do we follow-up?

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Comments

rsmarg Robert Margolis
April 30, 2007 | 7:10 AM Issues sound familiar...
When I was on a dance board, we had many of the same issues that were discussed at the Governor General's meeting. It was very tough to find affordable venues or support for the arts.

Although there was always a plentiful amount of rhetorical support (i.e., the arts are so important, too bad nobody ELSE will support it). ;-) Great to hear that you are getting more support from publiic officials. Njararuhi Raphael Wanjaria Njararuhi
June 3, 2007 | 10:09 AM Why
Am just fascinated by this sentiment from your article,'when you show that you have the ability to be successful, everybody wants to jump on board’.

Why?
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