We’ve had to pivot so much this past year we’re starting to feel dizzy, but one of the ways that artists, communities, and just about everybody has managed to survive (and even thrive) in 2020 has been by embracing the great outdoors, aka moving our work, social lives, cultural activities and big weird art things ​outside.​

We’ve seen concerts on porches, and parades through parks and neighbourhoods, so as we approach our first snowfall (any day now), and we embrace new but shifting COVID-19 safety restrictions, ​what are we going to do for the winter?

This December, you’re invited to join East End Arts for a winter-themed panel discussion and brainstorming session where we discuss how to make and present art in the winter! Let’s have a big digital brainstorming session over hot cocoa to ring in the darkest time of year with big dreams, and figure out how we are going to continue surviving and thriving with art through the winter! Arts workers, artists, arts organization leaders, bring your big ideas (but don’t worry about your snow pants, the whole thing will be on Zoom).

To learn more about the panelists, please visit www.eastendarts.ca or check out our social @EastEndArtsTO

Who is this session for?

• Artists and creatives of all disciplines, creative space-makers, producers, arts workers and/or arts administrators who:
• Love working outside and want to share what they’ve learned over the years!
• Want to work outside for the first time, but don’t know where to start!
• Big Dreamers who want to connect with others who love playing in the snow
• Are looking for an opportunity to meet like-minded creatives from east Toronto and all across Canada!

What can I expect?

We know this winter is going to be a tough one. With continued restrictions of gathering sizes, indoors and out, and ongoing “COVID Fatigue” we know that a crucial strategy to survive this winter, will continue to be getting outside as often as we can. Many of us have already started planning our winter events (and buying our long underwear), but we still think it would be fun to hear from some experts and then just … jam. The purpose of this session is to network with other artists and community members, and have some fun dreaming big about playing in the snow. Let’s shake off all the stress and anxiety and just spend some time using our big imaginations to buoy us into the chilly winter months ahead.

Following a panel discussion from some incredible winter animators, artists and organizers from all over Canada, we will hop into some Zoom breakout rooms where we will invite groups to collectively imagine “A perfect winter event” at one of four locations around east Toronto: A parking lot beside an abandoned 7-11; Taylor Creek Park and the ravine system that makes east Toronto so beautiful; our very own St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, on the edge of Riverdale East Park; and the incredible Kew Beach, on the shore of Lake Ontario. Let’s imagine these “perfect events” free from the restraints of budget or timeline, but informed by the public health needs of our current reality, an intimate relationship with the landscapes we inhabit, and the awesome creativity of the best experts we know - you!

Join other planners, dreamers, and lovers of what the Danish call Hygge, and grab a cup of cocoa while we let our imaginations run wild.

A few housekeeping and accessibility reminders:

We are all Zoom Pros now, but please remember to keep your microphone on mute when you are not talking - but turn it ON when you do (Adam our Programming Coordinator forgets every time and all his best lines go into the void). It would also be great if you could set your name in Zoom to include your pronouns.

Please try to not have any ceiling fans or bright lights behind you (and who wants their camera shooting upwards anyway!). Don’t use any virtual backgrounds please - we understand you might not want to give away all the details of your home but we’ve learned for folks on the autism spectrum the glimmer around the edges of you might be distracting. We leave it to your best judgment - your safety and comfort is important too!

Come in to the room with an open mind, and your ideas. Ask questions, and have fun, but also be respectful to everyone else in the room. East End Arts has a zero tolerance policy for bullying, harassment and hate of any kind.

If you require ASL interpretation or other accommodations for a disability, please contact Adam Barrett our programming coordinator by December 1st at adam@eastendarts.ca. Following the session, we will make the panel portion of this event available with subtitles on our Youtube Channel.