Saturday, September 22

Ryerson University George Vari Engineering Building
299 Church Street (at Gould)
12:30pm - 7:30pm

Presented by Factor
Supported by Toronto Cultural Services
 

KEYNOTE: ART IS POWER

Art has the power to change the world, to give people hope in hopeless times, and to present people with a new perspective on things. It has the power to transform (i.e. race relations, politics, geo-politics, etc.) and can be interpreted in so many different ways. This is a saying that everybody can relate to. This year’s Conference kicks off with a unique keynote address featuring Kardinal Offishall, d’bi young and Pharoahe Monch and each guest will share their personal interpretations of how art has been powerful to them.

PHAROAHE MONCH

d’bi young

KARDINAL OFFISHALL

   

TORONTO GENERATIONS PANEL

Moderated By Y-LOOK { 2:45pm - 3:45pm }

Over the years, a range of youth focused programs have come and gone in our city.  The Toronto Generations panel will provide an opportunity to examine the systemic problems that each has faced over the years, while contextualizing how their struggle continues today. Generations will showcase the connection between some of the most accomplished and current youth arts programs and a pioneering one that emerged 20 years ago. This discussion will touch on many of the similarities, differences, challenges and successes that these organizations have experienced since their inception:

MENTOR CLASSES

ART OF MUSIC PRODUCTION { 4:00pm - 5:30pm }

SOLITAIRE & RICH KIDD

***

ART OF SPOKEN WORD { 4:00pm - 5:30pm }

J-WYZE & QUENTIN VERCETTY

***

ART OF FILM & VIDEO DIRECTION { 6:00 - 7:30pm }

DIRECTOR X & CAZHHMERE

***

ART OF PERFORMANCE { 6:00 - 7:30pm }

JULLY BLACK & SHAD

***

THE BUSINESS OF ART PANEL

Co-presented by the City of Toronto - Moderated By BIG C
{ 4:00pm - 5:30pm }

The arts can be viable as sound business opportunities and the idea of translating art into a viable business is a creative process many endeavour to accomplish but that few manage to master. Understanding that you have to respect art when you’re doing business with it, while also respecting the complex nature that exists between business and art, a carefully selected panel of artists turned entrepreneurs will discuss their personal journeys and experiences in translating their creative art processes into business ventures:

***

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Moderated By AMANDA PARRIS { 4:00pm - 5:30pm }

The "Knowledge is Power” panel was inspired by the emergence of a blog developed by some of our city’s most inspiring young minds. As a mobilized and conscious attempt to combat and re-articulate the stories of communities that have been targeted, vilified and simplified by mainstream institutions of power in the city of Toronto, the orchestrators of the Knowledge is Power blog have brought constructive attention to some of the challenges we are facing in our communities. Recognizing that this work is part of a larger attempt to address the violence, trauma and need for healing, Manifesto Community Projects will provide a platform for this dialogue to take place off-line. The representatives featured on this panel are a combination of young people, elders, artists, activists, students, educators, and ultimately human beings who are concerned about the plight of today’s urban youth:

***

 

THEN & NOW PANEL (20 Years of Hip Hop)

Moderated By IVAN EVIDANTE { 6:00pm - 7:30pm }

Panelists will focus on the hip hop scene over the last 20 years in major cities across Canada, globally, and from the birthplace of hip hop itself, New York City. This panel will explore how hip hop has changed and developed from the era of Fresh Arts to current day, as well as the community that both support and surround the culture, culminating with it's grassroots effect on local communities: