TORONTO, May 26, 2020 – Since COVID-19 emerged as a global health crisis, Partners in Art (PIA) formed an internal task force to reach out to stakeholders and assess the needs of Toronto’s artistic community. In response to these uncertain times, PIA is proud to announce its new online program TBD Takeover.
TBD Takeover is a commissioned art project in the format of an Instagram Takeover and is done in partnership with established artist-run centres. The first takeover will be by YYZ Artists’ Outlet, featuring Brad Isaacs and Riaz Mehmood.
The program addresses the idea that globally we are in a time of transition; everything is “to be decided”. As people stay poised for the next wave of announcements, information is filtered to make decisions on how best to move. As a not-for-profit arts organization PIA understands these moments of pause and contemplation are ripe with opportunities for new, meaningful, and experimental art to be created.
PIA’s TBD Takeover has three goals: 1. Spotlight the work of selected artists online whose work may was not seen due to the limitations of the COVID-19 environment, and increase online engagement; 2. Heighten awareness of established artist-run organizations through an alternate platform to extend their online programming; 3. Help support and fund the arts community during this slow down as art events are restricted and loss of employment and income are prevalent.
Beginning June 1, each partnering artist-run centre will curate PIA’s Instagram account for two weeks, featuring the work of one artist each week. This project will financially support over 75 individual artists, and over 25 artist-run centres and galleries.
If you don’t yet follow PIA on Instagram, please do so at @partnersinartcanada and watch TBD Takeover project unfold.
About Partners In Art
Partners in Art (PIA) is a volunteer-led charitable organization funding contemporary art projects across Canada. Since 2002 the Toronto-based PIA has raised over $5 million and supported over 87 different projects. PIA actively collaborates with Canadian curators, educators, art organizations and museums. We help fund projects featuring contemporary artists with challenging works and thoughtful perspectives through annual member donations, fundraising events and public donations. PIA invests in contemporary art projects, and has worked with 50 partners including the: Art Gallery of Ontario, Gardiner Museum, Art Canada Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art, OCAD University and the ROM. PIA projects often involve education, publications and promoting alliances among global thinkers in visual arts.
Contact
Jenna Faye Powell, Operations Manager
