Grassroots charity will support local artists

Print

Text

When local artist Susan Makin was invited to enter some of her work in the prestigious Florence Biennale, an international arts competition, she was understandably thrilled. Her excitement turned to disappointment, however, when attempts to find funding to pay her way there came up dry.

Makin's struggles have led to the foundation of a new grassroots charity that could help local artists and performers showcase their talents around the world.

Makin, a North Toronto resident, said she instituted The Good Neighbours Fund after seeing first-hand the difference between the support artists receive here and the support they find south of the border.

"I was living in Brookline, Mass., until last fall and I learnt a lot of things about good neighbourliness in the way they supported local talent," she said. "When I tried to apply for grants up here, I went through hurdles for about 10 months and just saw lot of roadblocks. Canadian artists unfortunately don't have much incentive to stay if they're not going to get the funding."

After appeals to her St. Paul's MPP Michael Bryant, went nowhere, Makin appealed to her MP, Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's), who pledged to help out and suggested a fundraiser. After months of footwork and word-of-mouth promotion, the Good Neighbours Fund finally began gaining traction, with its inaugural event taking place tonight at Grano Restaurant.

"It was an event that was built step-by-step-by-step, and we'll be lucky just to cover the costs of starting the fund, but hopefully it will turn out to be a success," Makin said.

While the fundraiser was geared to help Makin pay some of the costs of bringing her exhibit, titled Buon Appetito!, to Florence, she said she hopes to keep the Good Neighbours Fund alive, with annual grants to an artist in need.

"The survival of the fund will depend on the outcome of this event and the money raised," she said. "We want to set up a working fund where artists can apply for the grant, but they have to work to earn it."

While working on the fund has taken up a great deal of Makin's time - she said she has been unable to paint while spreading the word - she said it was definitely a worthwhile venture.

"I see the importance because there's nothing for individuals formally or informally to find funding for things like (the Florence Biennale)," she said. "Artists are invited to a world-class event and they can't go because of funding, and Canada just looks shabby."

Graham Kennedy, who has been working with Makin to start the fund, said the goal of this year's fundraising event was twofold. Ideally, the Good Neighbours Fund will not only raise money for artists and performers, but will also create a sense of neighbourhood spirit.

"We've kept it local at first, but we want to create a community of interest more than a community based on geography," he said. "It's a fund where anyone can help out, not just the high rollers, and people can give as little as five or 10 bucks and know they're making a difference."

Like Makin, Kennedy said the fund's future is contingent on how much support the inaugural event drums up.

"Frankly, I don't think we expect to meet all of (Makin's) costs, but in a sense this event will let us know how much community interest there is for something like this," he said.

The inaugural event will take place at Grano, 2035 Yonge St., on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Admission is free (with a suggested $10 donation), with additional fundraising activities on hand at the event.

For information on the fund, including how to make an additional donation, e-mail goodneighboursfund@gmail.com