ARTREACH TORONTO PROFILES www.artreachtoronto.ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2011 Youth Arts Pitch Contest was an initiative of ArtReach Toronto, City of Toronto Cultural Services, Grassroots Youth Collaborative and Manifesto. The contest provided three $5,000 prizes to youth in the categories of Community Arts, Individual Artists and Entrepreneurs to support them to pursue their dreams and kick start their futures. The aim of the yearly contest is to discover and support some of Toronto’s finest artistic talent, and encourage community participation through the arts!

BOSS MAGAZINE ARTREACH TORONTO, YOUTH ARTS PITCH CONTEST WINNER, 2011 2011

FOR TAMIKA JOHNSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF OF BOSS MAGAZINE the best part about participating in ArtReach’s pitch contest was the bond it built among the Boss team. "Grant writing was tedious and there wasn't a lot of participation from everyone in the group", says Tamika. In contrast, everyone on Boss’ team was part of coming up with a creative way to pitch their idea.

The process of creating their pitch also helped the Boss team strengthen their mission and find a niche. “In the first workshop, they questioned us as to what our business was and what set us apart”, Tamika recalls, “It gave us an identity and a stronger work ethic.”

That work ethic paid off. At the pitch contest, Boss Magazine performed a theatrical skit to showcase their idea, and ended up winning first place in the Entrepreneurship category. The

skit told the story of a young man facing poverty and bullying who comes into his own and gains a sense of confidence and style. Tamika notes that it is a story some of Boss’ members have experienced in their own lives. Now, “Boss Magazine puts our community on a pedestal and shows the way we do fashion”.

With the $5,000 prize, Boss Magazine has been able to reach a wide audience to spread that message. The group was able to purchase essential tools such as a hard drive and camera. Four issues have been printed, with a fifth on its way. The magazine has been able to attract advertisers and score interviews with notable Canadians.

Tamika knows firsthand how important support was to Boss Magazine’s successes, “The categories of youth and artist are not taken seriously in Canada. You have to fight for it to make it a career.”

WEBSITE: www.bossmag.biz