ArtReach Toronto, in partnership with Manifesto, City of Toronto Cultural Services, and the Grassroots Youth Collaborative hosted its fourth annual Youth Arts Pitch Contest on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at the 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media & Education.
- View photos from the event here - - View video from the event here - Photography credit: Yannick Anton Videography credit: Adam Zivojinovic
Youth Arts Pitch Contest: Winners' Profiles 2011 Individual Artist Category: Raquel Da Silva Community Arts Group Category: Boss Magazine
Host Big Norm kept the enthusiastic crowd entertained as they watched and cheered on the nine youth finalists. The finalists competed for a $5000 prize in one of three categories - Community Youth Arts Group, Youth Arts Entrepreneur, and Individual Artist. Second and third place prizes were also awarded, totaling $10,000 in value. The finalists worked their hardest to impress an esteemed panel of judges that included: Michee Mee (Canada’s First Notable Female MC), Ravi Jain (WhyNot Theatre); Kay McConney (Executive Minds); Che Kothari (Executive Director of the Manifesto Festival); and Rosina Kazi (LAL).
Contestants used a variety of creative ways to get their message across – from live musical performances, to theatre, dance, fashion, videos and photography displays. The audience was treated to a display to some of Toronto’s top youth talent. Last year’s winner in the Individual Artist category, Cassandra “Cassy” Walker, returned for a special theatrical performance. The 2010 winner in the Entrepreneurship Category, Adam Zivojinovic, also impressed the audience with samples of his recent film products.
ArtReach Toronto’s Pitch Contest supports finalists from beginning to end. Workshops on creating and presenting a pitch are given in preparation for the big night. The Pitch Contest itself provides participants with an invaluable opportunity to gain direct feedback from influential individuals in the arts, entertainment, and business sectors. Money awarded goes to supporting creative and artistic endeavours that enrich our world while empowering young people.
ArtReach wishes all the winners and participants of the 2011 Youth Arts Pitch Contest big congratulations.
Contest participants included: Boss Magazine, Herculine Barbine, Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance, Chips, Blair Photography, Rep Clothing, Raquel Da Silva, Red Slam Collective, and Shi Wisdom.
The winners were: Individual Artist Category: Raquel Da Silva Community Arts Group Category: Boss Magazine Youth Arts Entrepreneur Category: CHIPS
Thank you to all of our sponsors: Urbanology Magazine, Salazar Studios, Royalz Clothing, Laidlaw Foundation, Sway Magazine, First Leadership Limited, Hightop, Fourth Dimension and CMANGO DESIGN