Great to See: New Toronto Fest Celebrates Arts Access

Great to see Celebrate 27, a new fest in Toronto that celebrates arts access. Named after UN Human Rights Declaration article 27—"Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits."—the festival runs from April 1 to 27 at locations around Toronto.

Mostly the offerings are from civic arts groups and community arts groups (no showing from the big guns/museums or traditional contemporary-arty outlets of yet) but even if this is just a start I'm inspired to see it. Here's more information:

About
Celebrate 27 Arts Fest (C27) communicates and celebrates Article 27's assertion of the universal right of all to participate in the arts and cultural life of the community with a series of events across Toronto from April 1 to April 27, 2011. C27 promotes Toronto's vibrant cultural and community arts landscape in neighbourhoods across the city and raises awareness of the diverse programs and services offered by local artists, local arts organizations and the City. C27 partners include: Arts Etobicoke, Lakeshore Arts, Urban Arts Community Arts Council, Scarborough Arts, the Neighbourhood Arts Network and City of Toronto Cultural Services and Economic Development. Sponsors include: TD Bank, Canon Canada, Chamber of Commerce of Ontario, Alitalia and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority.

C27 demonstrates the importance of the arts in our neighbourhoods and of the artists, and community arts organizations who as enablers of creativity, imagination, ingenuity and innovation help strengthen all communities and also build social and economic inclusion in the city's underserved neighbourhoods.

One event on the 21st looks particularly interesting to me:

Bridging the Gap: A Round Table Discussion
Please join the Neighbourhood Arts Network from 2 – 4 p.m. for a round table discussion on the gap between arts communities in the inner suburbs and the downtown core. This is a chance to share your ideas and meet other community-engaged artists, cultural workers and arts lovers. This event is free. For more details or to register, please contact skye@torontoarts.org or call 416.392.6802 x212.

For more information visit toronto.ca/celebrate27.

(Image and logo from the Celebrate 27 website)