Regent Park Focus Celebrates 20 Years
Celebrating over 20 years of making media with youth in Regent Park
The Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre - commonly known as Focus - is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1990 as part of a provincial government initiative to promote healthy communities. Now entering its 21st year, Focus has just moved into a new facility as part of the Regent Park revitalization project, and despite provincial and city funding cutbacks, it continues to provide young people with the space, equipment and training needed to use radio, photography, print, video, and music to bring their voices into the community.
To honour its involvement in Regent Park, Focus is inviting the public to several community events.
From 6:00 to 9:00 pm Thursday, October 27, Focus welcomes Miskitu journalist Margarita Antonio who will speak on the topic of ‘Sharing Lives and Cultures: Community Media on Nicaragua´s Caribbean Coast’. Antonio helped develop BilwiVision, a youth-run community television program, and is a partner in the VIVA! Project, a Community Arts and Popular Education initiative in Central America This evening of shared experiences and dialogue on community activism and media will take place at the Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre, 38 Regent Street (lower level). This event is co-sponsored by Community Arts Practice (CAP @ York U), CERLAC and Digital Storytelling Toronto.
From 6:30 to 9:00 pm Friday, October 28, Focus officially kicks off the anniversary celebration with a public party at 246 Sackville Avenue to honour the organization’s many partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers, alumni, and other distinguished guests. Festivities will include refreshments, speeches and performances by the Regent Park Focus house band plus other Toronto musicians. The event will feature an awards ceremony acknowledging the involvement of those whose contributions to Focus over the years have helped it to thrive and grow into the successful organization that it is today.
Starting at noon on Saturday, October 29, Focus invites the public to its Open House featuring guided tours of its new home at 38 Regent Street. Video screenings will showcase youth videos, with radio and music recording workshops to demonstrate the studio facilities. From 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Focus will host a panel of local media and community representatives to discuss ‘The importance of alternative media in empowering marginalized communities and their young people’. Following the debate, Focus will hold its Annual General Meeting for members. The AGM will mark the launch of the Regent Park Focus Fundraising Campaign.
For more information about Celebrating Over 20 Years events, contact Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre, 38 Regent Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3N7. (416) 863-1074, or visit the web site at www.regentparkfocus.com and www.regentpark.tv.
Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre • Promoting Community Health through the Arts
Categories: Community Engagement, Events, Seminars and Courses
