CALL FOR ARTISTS! Toronto Arts Council and The Toronto District School Board are pleased to invite applications for artist participation in tdsbcreates Arts Festival Spring 2016 Now in its third year, tdsbcreates is an exciting initiative that celebrates student creation and honours the unique and powerful exchanges that take place between professional artists and students in TDSB schools across the city. We aim to inspire students, their families, and teachers to embrace arts and culture as an essential component of a well-rounded education and fulfilling life. The festival will also foster cross -cultural connections and shared understanding across a wide range of perspectives and experiences. The public celebration of student work will also acknowledge the important role that artists and teachers play in nurturing creativity and artistic expression. tdsbcreates will celebrate a diversity of student voices from diverse backgrounds, personal/social identities, and neighbourhoods of Toronto. Students will be encouraged to explore transformation, identity and new beginnings through artistic creation in one or more of the arts. Multi-disciplinary work is encouraged! A roster of artists will support the following tdsbcreates initiatives: Artist in Residency Programs for students from JK to grade 6. tdsbcreates Art and Film Project for Gr. 7-12 students tdsbcreatees Dance and Spoken Word Project for Gr. 7-12 students Application Process Toronto-based artists in all arts disciplines and from diverse backgrounds are invited to submit an application to work with students during tdsbcreates in two ways: Page 1
1. Artists in Residence Program JK Grade 6 Time Frame: March - May - Each residency is five (5) full days in one school, working in two classrooms (JK to Gr.6) - Artists will provide an outline of their residency proposal as part of the application process, with a clear connection to the festival themes of transformation, identity and new beginnings. - Artists will participate in pre-planning and professional learning with teachers in advance of the residency 2. Artist Mentors - Grades 7 12 Time Frame: February - May Artist mentors are required to provide support to students and teacher-mentors in the following projects: tdsbcreates Art and Film: a juried/curated exhibition of art collaborations by student groups tdsbcreates Dance/Spoken Word: a juried/curated showcase of original dance and literary performance works created by students. Artist mentors will support students at different stages in the process of creating their works. At all times, students must remain the authors and creators of their artistic creations. The role of the artist/mentor is to: - Assist students with the development of specific techniques or skills to help them strengthen or clarify their intended message - Critique student work providing specific, constructive feedback related to project criteria - Ask focused questions to help students make thoughtful artistic choices and to refine their work. - Listen encouragingly to students and engage them responsively and respectfully without taking control The amount of time will vary from approximately 4-8 hours of mentorship with each group. Fees: The TDSB rate for all artist activities is $300 per day (residencies) or $50.00 per hour (mentorships). *Some subsidy is available for travel time where appropriate Page 2
Application Details Please read all requirements and submit accordingly. If you have not worked with a school board in the past or if you have not facilitated work in a school setting it is recommended that you contact us to discuss your application before submitting. Application Scheduling and Duration Application deadline: October 2, 2015 5:00 pm. Applications can be submitted by: Email to patty@prologue.org tdsbcreates c/o Prologue to the Performing Arts Distillery Historic District 15 Case Goods Lane, Suite 201 Toronto, ON M5A 3C4 Please Note: tdsbcreates Artist Residencies will take place between March and May. tdsbcreates Artist Mentors will be working with students between February and May. Eligibility To be eligible to apply to the tdsbcreates Program, applicants must be professional artists. A professional artist is someone who has developed their skills through training and/or practice; is recognized as such by artists working in the same artistic tradition; actively practices his or her art; seeks payment for her/his work; and has a history of public presentation. Artists must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents or have an application pending for Permanent Resident Status. You may be requested to provide documentation to verify this. Artists must have been a resident of the City of Toronto ( M postal code) for at least one year prior to the applications deadline, and live and work in Toronto for at least 8 months a year. A Post Office Box address cannot be used to meet the residency requirement. Page 3
*Artists working in TDSB schools (all positions) are required to provide: An approved Vulnerable Sector Check (through Toronto Police Services)* A copy of third party liability insurance ($2M)* *Please contact us if you need further information about these requirements How to Apply Interviews for all positions will take place in early October 2015 Complete Applicant Information including: - Area of interest - Indicate the position you are applying for: Artist Residency (Grades JK to 6) OR Artist Mentor (Grades 7 to 12). You may apply for both positions - Artist/Educator Experience - Include relevant experience working in schools and/or with school age children - Include relevant experience related to collaborating with classroom teachers to plan and implement arts programming - Artists are not expected to specifically deliver curriculum; however, knowledge of the Ontario Ministry of Education arts curriculum is an asset and where possible please emphasize the areas of curriculum that your work with young people supports. For Residency applications please provide : (no more than 2 pages) Outline the residency program you are proposing that will explore with students their connections to transformation, identity and new beginnings. You outline must include: - Art form(s) that students will be engaged in - Appropriate grade level(s) - Student activities for 5 half day sessions with one class - Anticipated outcomes what will the students and teachers take away from the experience For Mentorship applications: (one page) Briefly describe your past experience guiding students in creative work. How do you anticipate working with students to encourage their creative potential? How will you support teachers? 4. Include a copy of your professional resume Page 4
Applicant Information: tdsbcreates: Artist Application Artist/Company Name: Address: City: Prov: Postal Code: Phone: Fax: Cell: Email: Artistic Discipline : (please check all that apply) Dance Drama Music Visual Arts Media Arts Photography Area of Interest I wish to apply for the following (see guidelines for each program area): Residency (grades JK-6): Artist/Mentor: (grades 7-12): Artist/Educator Experience Please outline your most recent experience(s) as an artist educator emphasizing grade level(s) reached and focus of your work with students and teachers. Page 5
NOTE: You will need to send this Artist Application along with your Residency and/or Mentorship description and your professional resume as outlined in the guidelines. Please contact Patty Jarvis at Prologue to the Performing Arts at patty@prologue.org if you have any questions. Page 6