34 Artists Supported
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grassroots arts funders grant $22,000 to artists and writers creating on the margins
34 emerging artists supported in multiple disciplines
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(TORONTO, ON – August, 2014) CUE, a high-access arts funding initiative dedicated to supporting new generation artists who live and work on the margins in Toronto, announced today that 34 artists who applied to CUE for funding were awarded a total of $22,009 in grants to create art projects in multiple disciplines.
“We received almost $50,000 in grant requests,” says Zanette Singh, Creative Director of CUE. “More artists than ever approached us for funding this cycle, illustrating the dire need for accessible support for underrepresented young artists on the margins.”
CUE exists to reverse the trends of stigmatizations, barriers, systemic oppressions, and a host of adversities that many artists face that prevent them from flourishing in their arts careers. CUE ensures that important artists who have been historically excluded from the larger cultural narrative can access funding, support, mentorship, and public exposure for their work.
“Some of our world’s most significant art was created by artists who live outside of conventional frameworks,” says Ashton Shearer, who, as CUE’s Program Facilitator, delivered the majority of the 230 hours of individual mentorship to over 50 artists in creating their proposals. “These grants are going to true artistic innovators who bring to the table critical perspectives from outside the mainstream.”
Emerging artists from underrepresented arts communities across the Greater Toronto Area were invited to apply for up to $1000 to produce a project in their discipline of choice. All works will be exhibited in a group show this year.
ARTISTS SUPPORTED:
- Amanda
- Nathan Baya
- Afi and Malaika Browne
- Lola Bunz
- Samay Cajas
- Tings Chak
- Ryan Dela Cruz
- Huda Eldardiry
- Jesi the Elder
- Daniel Jelani Ellis
- Julianne Ess
- Christina Michel
- Tee Fergus
- Victoria Grant
- Timothy Hunter
- Alexis Jackson
- Daviiid Jay
- Amber Williams-King
- Michelle LeFade
- Shaughn Martel
- Brendon McNaughton
- Sab Meynert
- Daniel Pessole
- Drew Petursson
- Sashoya Simpson
- Kitsune Soleil
- Heavy Steve
- Dujean Ruthless Williams
- Xolisa
WRITERS SUPPORTED:
- Janiece McIntosh
- Thembani Mdluli
- Chiedza Pasipanodya
- Khari Richards
- Mammie Monah Water
- Fan Wu
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About CUE
CUE is a grassroots arts initiative dedicated to supporting new generation artists who live and work on the margins in Toronto. Since 2008, CUE has disseminated over $180,000 to support the creation of 190 arts projects in multiple disciplines. CUE also provides one-on-one mentorship to participants—in the past year, CUE artists received a total of 634 hours of individual career and artistic mentorship. In June 2014, CUE was named the winner of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Arts for Youth Award at the Mayor’s Arts Lunch. CUE works in collaborative partnership with SKETCH. For more info please visit www.cueartprojects.ca
CONTACT: Jason Samilski, Creative Director, CUE - email: jasonsamilski@gmail.com - tel: 647-710-1417