annual report 2008/2009 - Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto ...

MESSAGE FROM THEARTISTIC DIRECTORIt’s getting on for 10 years since the SouthRiverdale production of Twisted Metal andMermaid’s Tears, fuelled by millennium funds anddesires.At that time, I was equipped with myown experience and sources of inspiration, anidea (to plant in my own city the kind of art Ibelieved in) and a handful of like-minded artistsand allies.Since then, the “we” that is Jumblies hassprouted, blossomed and propagated wildly.Where at first I imagined we would simply movefrom place to place every few years, it turns outthat we have collected places in a network oflong-term relationships and possibilities.My sense of belonging in my own city of Torontohas expanded immeasurably through theopportunity to do this work; it strikes me that Imust remember to cite myself as a primeexample of the power of community-engaged artto create better citizens.As we move throughour residency in Scarborough over the next fewyears, I’m sure that our intermixed art andcommunity-making will continue to act on me inthis salutary way, and I hope and believe that itwill have a similar effect on many others.Ruth HowardArtistic DirectorMESSAGE FROM THEMANAGING DIRECTORThis report highlights our work in 2008-2009 – my firstyear with Jumblies. As you will see, it was an exciting year,with an amazing amount of activity.Because I was not involved in the Naivelt Project, whichbegan in 2006, until very late in the process, I feel free totalk about how wonderful it was.This compelling journeyabout the persistent urge to build "heaven on earth"brought together Naivelt community members, thewonderful “Jumblies kids”, and exceptional artists, and wasan extraordinary multidisciplinary, theatrical experience.Through our new residency in East Scarborough, we forgednew partnerships and worked with children, youth andseniors on the theme of “who lives here”. At our Nestingevent, hundreds of their nesting doll depictions ofsignificant people in their lives populated the Cedar RidgeGallery, transforming it into worlds within worlds.I also had the privilege of working with our colleagues atthe Jumblies “Offshoots”, MABELLEarts and Arts4All. Eachof these Jumblies family organizations has evolved with itsown distinct identity to become an important force in itscommunity and develop new and exciting art.I am also proud of the progress we have made towardsestablishing the Jumblies Studio to become a nationallyrecognized learning centre for community-engaged arts. Ibelieve that Jumblies’ work in helping artists on their pathsto combining their own expertise and passions withprocesses of meaningful social inclusion andtransformation, and in building capacity for sustainablecommunity arts work, is essential to ensuring health, andhope for the future, for individuals, communities, culture,and art.Thank you, Ruth, for inviting me to run away to join thecircus, and for your vision and passion. And thank you toall the Jumblies colleagues who have welcomed me withsuch generosity and given so much of yourselves to bringthe vision to life.Jumblies is small, but mighty.Keith McNairManaging DirectorJUMBLIES THEATRE -1- Annual Report 08/09Anna Yanousky & Ruth Howard in ‘Oy di veltvet ven yinger’ Camp Naivelt, PHOTO: M. OttoKeith McNair in ‘We Live Here’,Arts4All,PHOTO: K. FleitasJUMBLIES THEATRE -2- Annual Report 08/09