A lot of why's surrounding the managing of the Arts and Culture Grant program

Project: The Artist’s Mark Juried Exhibit

Applicant: Burlington Fine Arts Association

The Burlington Fine Arts Association (BFAA) is an artist collective of approximately 180 local artists. It is also the largest of the seven guilds of Arts Burlington. The Artist’s Mark is a ten-day juried art exhibit at the Burlington Centre Hub Space. The exhibition brings original artwork out of the gallery and into a more accessible community space to provide a unique celebration of local, contemporary art. Throughout the exhibition, participating artists will lead talks explaining their work and artistic practice. The program also includes artist presentations and outreach with an art display and workshops at local schools and retirement centres. The project was selected for its continued celebration of creativity as it supports local artists from the Burlington community.

 

Project: Authors in Your Neighbourhood

Applicant: Sylvia McNicoll

Authors in Your Neighbourhood encourages children to have fun! Interactions with local writers and illustrators help foster a love of reading and writing. This year, Authors in Your Neighbourhood has expanded to include five locally renowned writers and illustrators: Lana Button, Jennifer Faria, Jennifer Maruno, Sylvia McNicoll and Anitha Rao-Robinson. Through a series of seven workshops, they will each demonstrate and teach their craft. Children will have the chance to learn to write dialogue, describe characters and settings, structure plot and draw. Workshops will take place at the Burlington Public Library for over 250 children. Authors in Your Neighbourhood is also part of Burlington Public Library’s Literary Festival and I Read Canadian Day. The project was selected as it supports Burlington authors and illustrators and helps them foster the next generation of local talent.

 

Project: Burlington Latin Festival

Applicant: Latin Legacy Association

The Burlington Latin Festival is a cultural celebration that brings together a diverse range of artists, activities and vendors. Its goal is to promote the creativity, innovation and cultural exchange of the Burlington Latin community. The festival will showcase a variety of artforms including music, dance, Latin wellness classes and workshops, a parade and concerts. The Burlington Latin Festival will take place in Central Park on Aug. 23 and 24 and will feature a musical lineup that includes the rhythms of Salsa, Reggaeton, Merengue, Bachata, Cúmbia, Mariachi, Jazz and Samba. The dance program will feature contemporary dance, traditional folk dances from Latin America and a parade. The festival is free and includes workshops highlighting the various arts and crafts of Latin American culture. The project was selected for its cultural diversity that offers the community the chance to be a part of the Burlington Latin experience.

 

Project: Connecting Links

Applicant: Arnab Chakrabarty

Connecting Links is a workshop combining presentations from some of the top global talent in Indian Classical Music (ICM) with Burlington artists who are passionate about the musical genre. Led by Arnab Chakrabarty, sarod (Indian Lute) virtuoso, the event features Indian classical instrumental and vocal music, Kathak, a classical dance form and Tabla (percussion). Connecting Links brings together renowned multi-disciplinary ICM performers and local artists to connect and engage with families interested in learning about South Asian art, music and dance. The event features Indian classical dance, a vocal music session, Indian rhythm cycles, interactive sessions and workshop leader performances by Priyanka Tope, Zaheer-Abbas Janmohamed and Arnab Chakrabarty. This project was chosen for its diversity, support of Burlington musicians and its engagement with the community.

 

Project: Elizabeth Gardens Art Walk

Applicant: Elizabeth Gardens Creative Collective

The Fifth Annual Elizabeth Gardens Art Walk is a free one-day event that features thirty to forty local, artists, artisans, designers, musicians and arts facilitators. The event takes place in Burloak Waterfront Park on Aug. 23. Park visitors will be introduced to new, emerging and professional artists, artisans, makers and performers. It features demonstrations, art installations, musical performances and over fifteen interactive Art Experience Stations. A goal of the project is to help the community learn about the many talented artists and makers that live in Burlington. The project was chosen as it supports local artists, while engaging residents with new artistic practices in a safe, supportive environment. It offers participants the chance to learn about the importance of art and the value of connecting as a community.

 

Project: Free Community Cushion Concert Series for Burlington Families

Applicant: Chris McKhool, Sultans of String

Three-time JUNO Award nominees and Billboard charting band Sultans of String, led by Chris McKhool, will present a series of free concerts for children and families at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Concert themes include:

• Fiddlefire, exploring various world and jazz musical styles,
• Earth, Seas and Air, celebrating and nourishing our natural environment and
• Celebrate, providing audiences with a glimpse into the various customs, celebrations and festivities enjoyed across Canada.

All three concerts will involve the audience becoming part of the show on stage with the band. Featured performers include:

• Ernie and Maryem Tollar,
• Aviva Chernick,
• Shannon Thunderbird,
• Donné Roberts,
• Alberto Suarez,
• along with Chris McKhool, Kevin Laliberté and Drew Birston from the Sultans of String.

This project was selected for the diversity of local musicians, its focus on environmental and National teachings and its audience engagement.

 

Project: Golden Horseshoe Chorus Community Show

Applicant: Voices Music Collective

Voices Music Collective fosters a vibrant and inclusive choral community, uniting individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through song. This free community concert aims to engage and enrich the Burlington community by providing an accessible, high-quality musical performance. Hosted by the Golden Horseshoe Women’s and Mixed Choruses, the concert will feature contemporary songs and old standards, showcasing the talent of local singers. The performance will foster a sense of community, celebrate local culture, and provide an opportunity for individuals and families to come together to support the arts. The chorus will perform four-part harmony a cappella and feature a variety of musical genres ranging from Pop favourites to Broadway standards. The project was selected for its support of local singers offering a wide variety of music for the community to enjoy.

 

Project: Halton Freedom Celebration Festival

Applicant: Halton Black History Awareness Society

The Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) celebrates Canada’s diverse community, roots and culture through education, enhancement and entertainment. HBHAS develops programs to erode racism, prejudice and stereotyping, while increasing knowledge of Canadian history and its cultural landscape. The Halton Freedom Celebration Festival features musical acts, children’s activities, heritage, historical and genealogical vendors while promoting inclusivity and community. The festival includes art in the park, cultural cuisine, basketball, and limbo competitions. Live music includes the best in Canadian R&B, Reggae, Soul, Funk, African, Cuban, Jazz Fusion, Soca and Pop. The Halton Freedom Celebration Festival takes place in Spencer Smith Park on Aug. 2 and is free to attend. This festival was selected for its programs to educate the community about Black history and culture through entertainment and engagement.

 

Project: RISE 2025: An Immersive Community Wellness Celebration

Applicant: Exisst SoulCare

Existt SoulCare is an artist collective that promotes community connection, creativity and well-being. RISE 2025 seeks to unite diverse communities through creative programming. The event will feature movement workshops, an interactive reflection practice, and an Afro-Caribbean and Central American contemporary dance performance featuring CinnaMoon Collective, accompanied by Vasu Bisht on the Hindustani flute. By merging live music, contemporary dance and interactive participation, RISE 2025 offers attendees an opportunity to connect with themselves and others, while fostering a sense of community belonging. The project was selected because of its inclusivity, support of Burlington performing artists and musicians, accessibility and community building.

 

Project: Sounds from Damascus – Unraveling Cultural Threads of Levant, Anatolia and Persia

Applicant: Mamoun Aburas

This concert by Sounds from Damascus is a unique cultural event that blends tradition with innovation. Through music, narrative and dance, the performance explores the rich historical legacies and artistic traditions of these ancient Middle Eastern lands. The concert will showcase the diversity of cultural traditions and narratives through an immersive performance and open a window to these ancient cultures. Sounds from Damascus is led by Mamoun Aburas and performers include Nour Kheder, Ruba Zouzou, Tamadur Al Khatib and 15 Middle Eastern musicians and vocalists showcasing traditional Syrian, Turkish and Persian music. The performance aims to create a vibrant and inclusive space that encourages dialogue and fosters community connections. The project was selected for its support of local singers offering traditional Middle Eastern music for the community to experience.

Project: Telling Tales Festival

Applicant: Telling Tales

The 17th Annual Telling Tales Festival returns to the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park on Sept. 27 and 28. The event is free and features over 50 of Canada’s leading children’s authors, illustrators, local musicians and storytellers whose stories and experiences reflect the diversity of festival participants. Guests can listen to stories behind a book’s creation, learn writing tips and meet local authors, attend interactive workshops, express their creativity in a craft tent with story-based art, and explore Hendrie Park’s sculpture collection. Telling Tales fosters family literacy skills that support mental health and a sense of well-being, by promoting a love of reading and an appreciation for the natural world. The festival is a celebration of community, volunteerism and collaboration. The project was selected as it supports Canadian authors, illustrators, local musicians and storytellers as they use story telling for community well-being.

Project: Use Your Words

Applicant: The Inspiration Initiative

The Use Your Words project is led by local artists Briar Emond, Vanessa Cress Lokos and Dominique Prevost. It has interactive opportunities for everyone to be creative. The project will take place on June 14 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Art Gallery of Burlington’s Living Room space. Activities include:

• silk screening on T-shirts,
• zines using recycled materials to create word-based art/collaging in the form of a zine,
• a speaker’s corner where guests can record themselves sharing meaningful words and
• a community reading circle.

The event unites professional artists, local poets, spoken word performers, Burlington Public Library, and the Art Gallery of Burlington with the public. This project was selected for its activities that encourage multicultural and intergenerational participation.

Project: Voice Burlington

Applicant: Burlington Symphony Orchestra

The Burlington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) produces orchestral and ensemble performances that inspire and engage large diverse audiences. The BSO’s mission is to showcase orchestral music to a broad community and perform live orchestral music that inspires, while providing opportunities for community engagement. Voice Burlington will offer a workshop series for Burlington residents culminating in a classical and musical theatre youth competition. By offering free workshops and a chance for aspiring singers to perform as a soloist with the BSO during their regular concert season, the project allows the BSO to enhance its programming and educational outreach and to connect with Burlington residents in a unique, meaningful way. The project was chosen for its engagement with local youth in the arts through accessible, barrier-free programming.