401’s panel discussion on the arts hub’s current trajectory into a new future of accessible cultural programming, considering the forced need of online community in a pandemic, and the resulting benefits of a hyper-connected creative sector.
The discussion explores:
– how cultural producers have embraced technology to continue to deliver inspiring content,
– what accessibility means in the digital sphere,
– and how partnerships can fortify communities and strengthen connectivity.
Moderated by William Huffman, and including guest speaker Patrick Tobin, Director, Arts & Culture Services for the City of Toronto, the panel includes:
– Chris Chin, Operations & Festival Manager, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival,
– Simone Carpio, Board Member, Tangled Art + Disability, and
– Todd Hofley, Director, Property Relations, Beanfield Metroconnect.
Click here to watch the event recording on YouTube.
PANELISTS
Simone Carpio is the in Chair, Board of Directors, past Treasurer and in 2018 was an intern with Tangled Art + Disability. Simone has a diploma in social service work and a degree in criminology. Simone has performed as a vocalist for over 30 years.
Chris Chin is the Operations & Festival Manager at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, an organization he has been involved with since 2003. Chris has also been an associate programmer for the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival and has volunteered or consulted as an arts administrator with arts & culture organizations across North America, including Frameline the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival, the Center for Asian American Media, Pride Toronto, and the Calgary International Film Festival.
Todd Hofley joined the Beanfield family in 2019 as Director, Property Relations, after 25 years as a multi-hyphenate performing artist and community builder. He has a decade long track record of successful city advocacy – particularly in helping build hyper-local, massively connected communities, and is a fierce believer in the power of social cohesion and storytelling. In an era of increasing vertical density and social isolation, exacerbated over the past 16 months due to the pandemic, connectivity has never been more important for every aspect of our lives. Todd is a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow and has received numerous scholarships and awards for his activism and volunteerism.
Pat Tobin is the Director, Arts & Culture with the City of Toronto’s Economic Development & Culture Division, a position he has held since 2017. In the role, Pat oversees municipal cultural policy, cultural grants, and the delivery of City-led events like Nuit Blanche among other things. Prior to joining the City of Toronto, Pat spent 18 years with the Canadian federal government, working in areas such as culture, civic engagement, and economic development. Outside of government, Pat has worked with the Maytree Foundation on newcomer integration and the Inuit Art Foundation on expanding markets for Inuit culture. He is a huge fan of the 401 community.
William Huffman is an arts administrator, curator, educator, and writer with a history of extensive involvement on both local and international cultural fronts. William was Executive Director with the Inuit Art Foundation, Coordinator of the Audience and Market Development Office at Canada Council for the Arts, Associate Director with Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Arts Foundation and has held other leadership positions at Blackwood Gallery, Arts Toronto, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, A Space Gallery, Canadian Art Foundation and the Art Gallery of Sudbury. William is currently Marketing Manager at Dorset Fine Arts, a division of the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative and is an occasional instructor with University of Toronto, Toronto School of Art, and Visual Arts Mississauga.
Beanfield builds, owns and operates the largest independent fibre-optic network in Toronto and Montreal. Beanfield recognizes the importance of connecting communities and the businesses within them, without sacrificing customer support and superior services. At Beanfield, it’s about building communities, not just networks.
Beanfield Metroconnect is 401 Richmond’s Community Connectivity Partner, providing internet support for the Career Launcher Prize Studio and Urbanspace Gallery.