{"id":26001,"date":"2021-11-08T06:55:16","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T11:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/en\/?p=26001"},"modified":"2021-11-08T06:55:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T11:55:16","slug":"stories-of-now-acorn-arts-project-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/stories-of-now-acorn-arts-project-toronto\/","title":{"rendered":"STORIES OF NOW: Vignette &#8211;\u00a0Acorn Arts Project (Toronto)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26002\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26002\" class=\"wp-image-26002\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-09.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26003\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26003\" class=\"wp-image-26003\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-07.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26005\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26005\" class=\"wp-image-26005\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-06.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26006\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26006\" class=\"wp-image-26006\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-05.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26007\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26007\" class=\"wp-image-26007\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26009\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26009\" class=\"wp-image-26009\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26010\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26010\" class=\"wp-image-26010\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26011\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26011\" class=\"wp-image-26011\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Naomi Chorney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-08-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"26017\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/AcornArt-08-1.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/artbridgesblog.ca\/?attachment_id=26017\" class=\"wp-image-26017\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Photo credit: Pat Melnick<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>STORIES OF NOW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Vignette<\/em><\/strong><strong> &#8211;&nbsp;Acorn Arts Project (Toronto) <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acornartsproject.ca\/\"><strong>https:\/\/www.acornartsproject.ca<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cSTORIES OF NOW\u201d is part of a project ArtBridges is working on with Judith Marcuse Projects\u2019 ASCN (Arts for Social Change Network) and ICASC. It is about gathering and sharing stories emanating from the field now and about what issues and areas of focus matter. <\/em><em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As told by: Naomi Chorney, Founder &amp; Secretary, Acorn Arts Project, October 7th, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I<strong>f you could tell a story about your community-engaged arts initiative now, this year, what would the story be about? What are the main themes?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: Main themes &#8211; building a strong (<em>organizational<\/em>) foundation, that was really a large part of what transpired in 2021. A lot of establishing by-laws, doing the ground-work and developing governance.&nbsp; This is what we\u2019ve been doing a lot during the pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve also been reaching out and getting more involved in the <em>(Regent Park) <\/em>community (<em>where Acorn Arts is based- at 220 Oak)<\/em> meeting people, and finding out what\u2019s going on. We\u2019re trying to map out what\u2019s going on art-wise in the community. We\u2019re participating and engaging by zoom, working towards a common goal.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>What are the main issues your community-engaged arts initiative faces? (e.g., social justice, environmental justice, pandemic-related, operational, financial, HR)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: Finding space to do programming in the community. This is part of our ongoing conversations &#8211;&nbsp; there are a lot of spaces in the community &#8211; common rooms &amp; areas available for grass roots programming. We\u2019d like to offer programming to other demographics &#8211; children, youth, seniors. We\u2019re walking a tightrope for what is safe re: COVID and zoom\/online fatigue. Youth are tired of zoom calls. We need space to meet <em>(in real life).&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing our capacity. We need to find a few more Board members who can take on responsibilities including fundraising. We are doing community outreach to attract talent that represent the community we serve. We\u2019d like to work with students, mentees, and grow our HR.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>How has your initiative been addressing these main issues?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: We\u2019re reaching out within the community, seeking community representation. We\u2019re involved in Regent Park stakeholders\/community meetings to expand our network, have conversations and grow. We\u2019re doing a deep dive in meetings and creating new partnerships. We\u2019re applying for grants- for resident-led initiatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve had a few sessions of strategic planning with an outside facilitator. We\u2019re getting clear about our goals and mission. There are so many moving parts. We need more people to help with this admin work. Now that we are back on site again, we need more help and extra hands as we grow our programming. Maybe hire university\/college students, high-school students doing volunteer hours, volunteers. We got our banking sorted out, wrote grants, and looking at workplace policies. We accessed government relief support to get us through the pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>How has the community of participants that your initiative engages with evolved in the past year (if at all)?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: The pandemic has been very hard on our group, the group that we serve at 220 Oak St. There was a before, then the pandemic, then after. People more autonomous, living independently, have managed, but bemoan the lack of community engagement. Their building was locked down, there was security on each floor making sure people were not gathering &#8211; no congregating at mail boxes, in the lobby, anywhere in the building. Some people\u2019s health has deteriorated. The isolation, the absence of people to say hello to. Some of our former participants with health issues didn\u2019t make it. Others moved away as their physical and mental health deteriorated and became too much for them to manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>How is your organization engaging with your community right now? (Logistics, pandemic public health and safety guidelines &amp; policies, changes in the way we gather)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: We\u2019ve been live for the last 6 weeks! (<em>since early September)<\/em>. We\u2019ve been doing programs outside, at the side of the building. Today is our first day inside <em>(the studio). <\/em>There is a new limitation of numbers of people inside as per Toronto Public Health policies:&nbsp; 4 people plus 1 instructor in a room. We have 2 spaces, so we can have 10 people. It can\u2019t be the drop-in that it was before. We all wear masks and can\u2019t serve coffee or food.&nbsp; We need to be cautious. Many vulnerable people are double-vaxxed, but others may not be. We will respect whatever requirements that are stipulated by Toronto Public Health. People are just so happy to come back into the studio!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>What are one or two new projects your initiative implemented this year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: Our community partner, COTA Health, impressed with our programming and its transformative nature (at 220 Oak), invited us into 3 other sites in the city &#8211; group home-based for individuals independently living with assistance; housing for people difficult to house, facing food insecurity or addictions.&nbsp; For the last 6 weeks, we\u2019ve set up 3 new programs. We\u2019re using accessible media- pencils, markers, watercolour, air drying clay. We\u2019ll do clay at 220 Oak- where we have a kiln. It\u2019s fun- bringing the art in, inviting people to participate in making art and talking about their lives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are thrilled to be back in the field. We tried kits, but because our program doesn\u2019t transfer well to the virtual space, it was difficult to drop off the kit and go. Participants need the human contact, being around other people. After months of isolation and being back together, the art is almost secondary. People need to just be able to sit and look in each other\u2019s eyes.&nbsp; They are so happy we\u2019re back. It\u2019s so moving.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>What is your initiative doing new\u2013digitally\u2013compared to pre-pandemic?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: We\u2019ve done all our board meetings over zoom, it\u2019s more convenient, so much easier. Easier to attend conferences and meetings, too. &#8230;All the webinars and professional development are all online. Even our strategic planning is all online. It\u2019s more focused.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of program delivery &#8211; the digital world &#8211; our people don&rsquo;t\u2019 navigate well. Many don\u2019t have stable internet. Many don&rsquo;t have the savvy to navigate digital space. Phones get stolen, people lose data, some are elderly or blind, have fine motor skill problems or brain injuries. We realized it\u2019s not worth it (<em>doing digital\/online programs<\/em>). Not accessible for a lot of people. Clients in their 50s and 60s, for decades now have not been around computers. Totally unrealistic to expect people to interface with digital &#8211; even phones are hard to navigate. Cognitively many can\u2019t. Computer with internet can be cost prohibitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Is there a recent achievement, wonderful moment, or quote you\u2019d like to share about your initiative or its impact?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NC: People are thrilled to have us back at 220 Oak! &#8230;To have the ability to resume community and reconnect! People need connection &#8211; even putting a hand on someone\u2019s shoulder, elbow bumps, or back to back hugs, outside. There\u2019s joy in people being able to get together and come back into the space and be together with their neighbours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>As told by: Naomi Chorney, October 7th, 2021 to Seanna Connell, ArtBridges<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>STORIES OF NOW Vignette &#8211;&nbsp;Acorn Arts Project (Toronto) https:\/\/www.acornartsproject.ca \u201cSTORIES OF NOW\u201d is part of a project ArtBridges is working on with Judith Marcuse Projects\u2019 ASCN (Arts for Social Change Network) and ICASC. It is about gathering and sharing stories emanating from the field now and about what issues and<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"sd-more sd-all-trans\" href=\"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/stories-of-now-acorn-arts-project-toronto\/#more-26001\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[2934,197,45,113],"class_list":["post-26001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stories","tag-acorn-arts","tag-ontario","tag-stories-of-now","tag-toronto"],"cp_meta_data":{"_last_editor_used_jetpack":["block-editor"],"_edit_last":["1"],"_gglstmp_meta_canonical_tag":[""],"_wpml_media_featured":["1"],"_wpml_media_duplicate":["0"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26001\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artbridges.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}