What's On at the Library

Toronto Public Library is offering free venues to Toronto-based artists and cultural groups
wishing to be part of Culture Days on September 27-28, 2013. This partnership
enables artists to take their practice out of their private studios into the
accessible spaces of library branches so that the public can discover and
engage with their work. Past participants describe Culture Days @ the Library
as a great opportunity to connect with new audiences and to build strong
community relationships. From Etobicoke to Scarborough, North York and downtown
Toronto, some 40 TPL branches spanning the city will provide venues
at no cost.

Toronto-based individual artists, small and
medium-sized professional arts groups as well as volunteer-run cultural
organizations, collectives or groups that wish to organize their events at a Toronto
Public Library branch are invited to submit an application by April 15, 2013. Activities in all artistic disciplines are encouraged
as well as those that appeal to families and audiences of diverse ages. To be
considered for a space, the arts activity must be free and interactive.

Toronto Public Library staff will review
the applications, make their selections and contact activity organizers directly
for any additional information they may require and to make arrangements. Library branches are providing free space but cannot provide
any financial assistance, including funds for supplies or equipment. Participants do receive administrative, marketing
and promotional support for their activity via the joint efforts of Culture
Days, Toronto Public Library and Neighbourhood Arts Network.

40 Toronto Public
Library Branches Open their Doors

The following branches have committed to
hosting Culture Days activities. The
majority of activities will be scheduled on Saturday, September 28, with a
limited number scheduled on Friday, September 27. For location and details
about each branch, go to http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hours-locations/index.jsp

Participating
Branches

How to Participate

 A simple application
form is now online. Applications will
be accepted from now until April 15,
2013.

Applicants
will be matched with the appropriate library branches based on the suitability
and interactive nature of the activity. Those applicants who meet the criteria
will be contacted by Toronto Public Library Branch Heads in May to discuss in detail their activity
and may be required to submit further information related to space
requirements, equipment, etc.

Notification and Confirmation

Branches
will send out a confirmation email by May
30, 2013.

“Thunderbird Native Theatre had a great Culture Days
activity at Kennedy/Eglinton library. We were supported by an enthusiastic head
librarian and had a very involved culturally diverse audience, who laughed,
sang, clapped and played the big pow wow drums with happy abandon. We certainly
plan to be back next year!”

 – Shannon Thunderbird
Artistic Director
Thunderbird Native
Theatre
2012 Culture Days @ the
Library participant

About Culture Days

Culture Days is a collaborative,
Canada-wide volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility,
participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of
their communities. Launched in 2010, the annual Culture Days event takes place
in more than 850 Canadian cities and towns during the last weekend of
September, generating an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm in the process. This
year’s Culture Days weekend will take place on September 27, 28 and 29, 2013.
Once again, the event will feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that
invite the public to participate “behind the scenes”— and to discover the world
of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work
in their community. To learn more, please visit www.culturedays.ca

Culture Days in Ontario is supported by the
Ontario Arts
Council,
the Ontario Trillium
Foundation
and the Government of
Ontario
in recognition of Celebrate the
Artist Weekend. 

About Toronto Public
Library

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library
system. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods
across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public
Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at
416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the
library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

About Neighbourhood
Arts Network

Neighbourhood Arts Network is the place
where arts and community engagement meet. Neighbourhood Arts Network helps
artists and community organizations do what they do best: enrich Toronto and
transform it into a more vibrant, beautiful, and liveable city. We catalyze new
relationships and conversations, collect research and share information. We
envision a Toronto where all residents are empowered to discover and shape the
cultural life of their communities. Neighbourhood
Arts Network is a signature initiative of Toronto Arts
Foundation. To learn more, please visit www.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org

For more information about Culture Days @ The
Library, please visit www.on.culturedays.ca.

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