From Artist to Entrepreneur

Does mentioning artmaking and entrepreneurship in the same sentence make sense? For many, the answer is a categorical "no" – but for one group of young people working under the auspices of Arts for Children of Toronto, the answer is a resounding: "yes."

The York Square Drum Squad has discovered that people actually want to pay to hear them perform. Under the direction of master drummer Muhtadi, they have already appeared at the Sheraton Centre Ballroom, the Metro Convention Hall, the Air Canada Centre, several community centres and have been invited to perform at fundraisers hosted by two of Canada's leading financial institutions. When groups of four or five drummers represent the York Square Drum Squad, they are paid as much as $50 a performance – each! In a generous display of commitment to their friends in the ensemble, these remarkable teenagers have chosen to buy show tickets for their peers in their Toronto Community Housing building. Rather than spend their earnings on themselves, together, they attended the South African hit musical Umoja, and plan to use future earnings to purchase new bass Djembe drums for the group.

This summer, some of these same young people – talented artists as well as musicians – will be creating a mosaic mural for their building at York Square under the supervision of an experienced AFC mosaic artist. Their hope is that, once this mural is seen and appreciated, they will receive commissions to create similar murals in other TCHC buildings. Art and Entrepreneurship: a fruitful partnership. Stay tuned!

Outreach Update

AFC's Outreach Program will reach close to 7000 children and youth this year through its various programs. Check out some of our recent highlights!

A dance workshop with grades 1 & 2 from St. Alphonsus Catholic School with AFC dance instructor, Monique Bergeron.

Kindergarten kids from Lambton Park Community School explored printmaking with artist/instructor, Linda Blix.

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From Artist to Entrepreneur Does mentioning artmaking and entrepreneurship in the same sentence make sense? For many, the answer is a categorical "no" – but for one group of young people working under the auspices of Arts for Children of Toronto, the answer is a resounding: "yes." The York Square Drum Squad has discovered that people actually want to pay to hear them perform. Under the direction of master drummer Muhtadi, they have already appeared at the Sheraton Centre Ballroom, the Metro Convention Hall, the Air Canada Centre, several community centres and have been invited to perform at fundraisers hosted by two of Canada's leading financial institutions. When groups of four or five drummers represent the York Square Drum Squad, they are paid as much as $50 a performance – each! In a generous display of commitment to their friends in the ensemble, these remarkable teenagers have chosen to buy show tickets for their peers in their Toronto Community Housing building. Rather than spend their earnings on themselves, together, they attended the South African hit musical Umoja, and plan to use future earnings to purchase new bass Djembe drums for the group. This summer, some of these same young people – talented artists as well as musicians – will be creating a mosaic mural for their building at York Square under the supervision of an experienced AFC mosaic artist. Their hope is that, once this mural is seen and appreciated, they will receive commissions to create similar murals in other TCHC buildings. Art and Entrepreneurship: a fruitful partnership. Stay tuned!	Outreach Update AFC's Outreach Program will reach close to 7000 children and youth this year through its various programs. Check out some of our recent highlights! A dance workshop with grades 1 & 2 from St. Alphonsus Catholic School with AFC dance instructor, Monique Bergeron. Kindergarten kids from Lambton Park Community School explored printmaking with artist/instructor, Linda Blix.
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