State of the Arts in Toronto
A city’s arts form an ecosystem. It’s easy to focus on the big features – the trees, as it were – but the true health of the system lies in the understory, in the buzz of life at the ground level, in the shoots springing up and creatures hustling in the earth that supports the larger structures. A thriving ecosystem is continually growing, evolving, renewing at the base.
Toronto’s art ecosystem has been buffeted by some significant stresses in the past few years, and while there’s been plenty of attention to the challenges experienced by the larger, more visible parts, in this issue we dig into what is happening in that essential understory.
We explore how local artists are finding ways to overcome these challenges to create and show their work, and generate a sense of community. Artists also need support – from audiences, exhibitors, venues – and we look at that part of the system too. And at a high level, we talk to Mayor Olivia Chow about how the city can help support the arts. Plus, as always, our front section brings you all kinds of intriguing features – including art projects, because a healthy city finds art everywhere.
