CANspace Urban Arts Festival

What is CANspace? CANspace Festival of Urban Arts is a program that provides opportunities for youth and community members from Malvern, one of Toronto’s identified priority neighbourhoods, to engage in the vibrant art of legal graffiti and other urban art forms.

Why CANspace? Illegal tagging has become a problem in urban areas, and the perception is that graffiti art is associated with vandalism. It is important is to find ways to divert youth from illegal activities in this neighbourhood, and steer them toward the creative and legitimate use of graffiti art. CANspace aims to provide this opportunity.

While breaking down stereotypes related to the art of graffiti, CANspace identifies and engages high needs youth and seniors, linking them in a fun and innovative community event. Our program will begin with a series of graffiti and stenciling workshops for seniors and youth held in the local library and community centre, providing a common ground where two generations meet and make connections. The workshops will provide dialogue and mutual understanding through an art program that focuses on legal graffiti art. Participants learn the skill of painting with spray cans and other media by professional artist/mentors, as well as the health and safety, and ethics involved.

How does CANspace involve the community? The community can be involved as artists, students, volunteers or audience. Following the workshop series, the youth and seniors are invited to showcase their new skills at a one-day urban arts festival in a public community space. They will paint on large canvases beside accomplished graffiti artists, who are invited to participate at the festival to demonstrate and act as role models for the youth. Visitors can enjoy interacting with the artists, and watch the transformation of canvases throughout the day. They will leave with a better understanding of the urban art culture and its various forms. Completed canvases are to remain on display and enjoyed by the community.

During the festival there will be performances of urban music and spoken word poetry, creating an energetic ambiance for the artists, performers and spectators. Dancers will set a tone of excitement on stage, from freestyle breaking to choreographed hip-hop dancing. Youth volunteers will be on hand to assist children with art projects involving drawing, painting, stenciling and chalk art. Food vendors will be on site, adding to the ‘street party’ atmosphere. All artists and performers will be compensated for their professional talents, during the workshop and festival components.

From our work in the community, we have found that people are eager to learn about graffiti, and many artists are pleased to share their art with them. Our festival will demystify the creation of graffiti and urban art, leading to its greater appreciation and understanding. It aims to bridge both generational and community gaps, and creates connections between otherwise disparate groups in Malvern.

Who are partners in CANspace? CANspace is conceived and administered by Mural Routes, a not-for-profit arts services organization in Scarborough, Ontario. The CANspace Urban Arts Festival 2010 partners include Toronto Public Library, Malvern Branch and City of Toronto Arts Services. We will invite other community partners as the project develops.

What is the future for CANspace? We hope to be able to sustain the program in future. In order to launch this project, we are in need of funding for the artists and performers, workshop administration and supplies, and festival costs. Our long-term goal is to provide the guidance, training and leadership so that the youth trained through the program will eventually be able to produce the CANspace urban arts festival on an annual basis.