City pledges $1.2M to support Black artists

Mayor says new funding for cultural initiatives will also help fight racism

Toronto will invest more than $1.2 million in cultural and economic initiatives to confront anti-Black racism and help provide opportunities for Black artists in the city, Mayor John Tory announced Friday.

“We have heard clearly from the Black community that the career pathways available to Black youth in the creative sector are at risk due to the pandemic,” Tory said at the Nia Centre for the Arts.

“This requires an immediate response to avoid the collapse of key Black community, cultural and heritage institutions and the job opportunities and positive activities that they help create.”

Tory said the thousands of people calling for an end to anti-Black racism and racism against Indigenous people and racialized communities in recent months have made it clear change must occur in all areas of the city — including how city services are funded and delivered.

The investments in the arts, heritage and creative industries announced Friday will include:

$300,000 in funding to support key Black heritage organizations with technical assistance and access to space in city-run museums and heritage sites.

$300,000 to work with film, television and digital industries on building career pathways for Black youth.

$300,000 to support the career development of Black professionals in the not-for-profit arts and culture sector.

Tory also announced $50,000 a year in funding to support the Black Innovation Fellowship offered by the Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University, which supports tech entrepreneurs.

Tory also committed to applying clear targets for diverse representation to ensure that the city’s $30 million cultural granting budget serves all Torontonians.

“I know that there’s still more work to be done, but I think we’re moving in the right direction,” said Tory.

He pointed out that in 2016, Toronto city council launched North America’s first action plan to confront anti-Black racism and created the Confronting Anti-Black Racism unit in 2018.

He said 2020 is presenting another pivotal moment.

“We must come together to eradicate racism within our city and our society.”