Summary of organization/program
Workman Arts is an arts and mental health company known internationally for its artistic collaborations, presentations, knowledge exchange, best practices, and research in the area of the impact of the arts on the quality of life of people living with mental illness and addiction.
Contact information
651 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6K 2B2
416-583-4339
Geographic region
- Local
Participants
- Youth
History/Background Information
Workman Arts (WA), established in 1987, was founded on the principle that the creative process is integral to the quest for personal and spiritual development.
WA was established by Executive/Artistic Director Lisa Brown as a theatre company with eight Members with limited theatre training to perform relevant plays and spread their artistic wings. From the perspective of a health professional, Lisa observed the incredibly positive impact making art had on the mental health of the Members. WA has evolved into a professionally-recognized multi-disciplinary arts organization with over 230 active Members, all with artistic abilities and goals. WA has worked with thousands of artists with mental health and addiction issues who have performed/displayed to hundreds of thousands of people.
The Workman Theatre Project, Toronto Life 1991
Many Members have had the opportunity to work/perform with top professional artists in prestigious venues in Canada and abroad. In the various artistic media, WA has produced more than 20 original full-length Canadian plays, 19 ‘Rendezvous with Madness Film Festivals’, 10 Annual ‘Being Scene’ Art Exhibitions, four multi-disciplinary festivals and one international festival, the ‘Madness and Arts’ World Festival.
WA offers year-round training programs in all disciplines to its members as well as a vibrant youth program, presenting films, theatre productions and artists’ talks to elementary and high school students in the Greater Toronto Area. WA has formed partnerships with hundreds of organizations within Toronto, across the country and around the world. The WA community of artists and programs now represents a world-class model that has been replicated locally, nationally and internationally.
Workman Arts’ 10-year Vision
Workman Arts is an arts and mental health company known internationally for its artistic collaborations, presentations, knowledge exchange, best practices, and research in the area of the impact of the arts on the quality of life of people living with mental illness and addiction.
The Artistic/Executive Director leads and shapes the vision with the support of WA member/artists, members’ advisories, staff, contracted artists, and Board of Directors.
Dominant Media Forms
not provided
Objectives
Established in 1987, theWorkman Arts Project of Ontario (Workman Arts) was founded on the principle that the creative process is integral to the quest for personal and spiritual development. A not-for-profit professional arts company in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH, Workman Arts facilitates aspiring, emerging and established artists with mental illness and addiction issues to develop and refine their art form through its arts training programs, public performance/exhibit opportunities and partnering with other art organizations. As well, Workman Arts promotes a greater public understanding of mental illness and addiction through the creation, presentation and discussion of the artistic media.
And yes there is a certain air of healthy competition, people trying to do the best they can.
More surprising is to see an individual whose illness is plain to see. Yet look at their art and you will be astonished; how can this be?
Over 230 people are Members at Workman Arts. We form a community of exchange, and understanding, where spirit, expression and diversity manifests, and many times small miracles do happen.
– Peter Smith, Visual Artist, Workman Arts Member (1959-2009)
Statement of Principles
not provided
Strategies
not provided
Samples of work
not provided
Funding Sources
A Unique Vision
For over 25 years, Workman Arts’ Members have benefited from exceptional programming unlike anything offered elsewhere in the world, while Workman audiences have enjoyed evocative and thought-provoking artistic productions that entertain, educate and challenge public perceptions about mental illness and addiction. This combination, which is so singularly Workman Arts, would not be possible without the generous support of our valued donors. Whether you are an individual or represent a corporation or a foundation, we invite you to become involved today.
For more information, please contact Workman Arts Executive Director Lisa Brown or by phone at 416-583-4339.
As a charitable organization, Workman Arts can issue tax receipts for the full amount of your donation.
Business Number: 0882746-22
Charitable Number: 130734403 RR0001