Diaspora Dialogues

Diaspora Dialogues supports the creation and presentation of new fiction, poetry and drama that reflect the complexity of Toronto—and Canada—back to residents through the eyes of its richly diverse communities. Our focus is on the development of both artist and audience, and on working toward redefining the “mainstream” in the arts sector, and ensuring it is as diverse as the country itself. Since launching in 2005, DD has engaged over 700 culturally diverse and/or Indigenous writers and artists, emerging and well-established, from literature, spoken-word poetry to theatre and performance, with occasional dance and music performances as well. We commission talent to produce new work or to participate in a robust mentoring program or a popular multidisciplinary performance series and artist-run workshops. We also host free professional development seminars and networking events for our writers, artists and community. DD has become recognized as one of the main arts organizations in Toronto; our programming partnership is eagerly sought out by Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, The Word on the Street, Keep Toronto Reading, Doors Open and City of Toronto Culture, among others. In addition to creating collaborative opportunities for writers to connect with each other and with new audiences across cultural and disciplinary backgrounds, we work to increase the audience for the arts among Canada’s ethno-cultural communities by devoting significant effort to audience development into ethno-cultural communities. Through our activities, we help develop new networks and professional relationships between the arts community, community-based organizations and organizations serving newcomers, thus expanding community access. Diaspora Dialogues is supported by Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, The McLean Foundation, Michael Decter Foundation, Johnston Group and BMO.