| About
the Artists' Health Centre Foundation |
The Artists' Health Centre Foundation helped create and continues to work in support of the Al and Malka Green Artists’ Health Centre at Toronto Western Hospital, and in addition, is involved in outreach, education, and prevention services for the over 20,000 professional artists who live in the Toronto area. Our mandate is to raise the standard of health care, educational resources, and quality of life for artists, and to take those resources out into the community, both locally and nationally. The Board of Directors, Artists' Committee and the staff of the Foundation are committed to presenting ongoing workshops and seminars through our Education and Outreach Program, providing outreach to the artistic community, supporting research initiatives at the Artists’ Health Centre, and raising funds through the Joysanne Sidimus Subsidy Fund to subsidize health care for artists in need. History of the Artists’ Health Centre Foundation In 1994, a group of Toronto artists met at the request of Joysanne Sidimus, Founder and Executive Director of the Dancer Transition Resource Centre to investigate the possibility of creating a specialized health care facility for creative and performing professional artists. The impetus for the project was a unanimous frustration with the cost and lack of appropriate health care for artists. The project grew into the Artists' Health Centre Foundation. Its structure echoes the grassroots make-up of the original working committees. Artists from diverse disciplines meet several times a year as the Artists' Committee, and provide a link to the artistic community as well as creating outreach and education initiatives on artists' health issues. The Artists' Committee works with the volunteer Board of Directors, which is comprised of artists and business people with expertise in diverse areas. In 1995, an extensive needs assessment survey was conducted in the Toronto area concerning the health care needs of artists. At the same time, research was conducted into other known artists' clinics including centres in San Francisco, London, The Hague, and New York City. The information gathered confirmed the need for an integration of complementary and conventional medical health services, as well as research in the field of artists' health care, and subsidies for alternative therapies. There have been many challenges leading up to the creation of the Artists' Health Centre. A deal was negotiated with Wellesley Hospital, only to see the hospital closed in the restructuring of the Ontario medical/hospital system. Fortunately the project was referred to the Healthy Connections program at Toronto Western Hospital within the University Health Network, and it was there that the Centre found its home, opening in November, 2002. The AHCF remained active throughout the process of opening the Centre. Two seminars were held before the space was officially opened (one for artists, the second for practitioners). In March, October and November of 2003, three more seminars, held in the Centre's space at Toronto Western, presented speakers familiar with the issues and injuries of artists, and dealt with techniques and resources that are available to artists within the community. Since then numerous clinics, seminars and workshops have been presented and the Foundation continues to be an active partner in the day-to-day practicalities of running the clinic, as well as in its education and prevention initiatives. Over the years, dozens of artists, practitioners, health, legal and business professionals have served on our committees and Board. They have contributed thousands of hours of their time and expertise helping this dream become a reality. We know that the Centre will continue to evolve to reflect the changing needs and health care issues of artists. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gail has recently returned from Washington, D.C. where she was a 2010 Arts Management Fellow at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, America’s national performing arts institution and the living memorial to John F. Kennedy. This highly competitive fellowship accepts ten international arts managers each year who then work and learn alongside the Center's senior management staff on over 3000 performing arts productions. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Education and Outreach Coordinator, Iona Frost, has been with the AHCF since March, 2008. In addition to her work with the education program, she coordinates the Joysanne Sidimus Subsidy Fund and Program, is responsible for community and donor communications, and has been actively involved in increasing the profile of the Artists’ Health Centre Foundation in the artistic community. As a life long dancer (for fun!) with a background in arts administration, she is proud to be part of the work being done to provide artists with the much needed care to help support the courage, commitment and passion required to live and work as an artist. Board of Directors 2009-10 Artists’ Committee 2009-10 Advisory Council 2009-10
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