Nordicity has been selected by the Economic Development & Culture (EDC) Division of the City of Toronto to develop an Equity Plan Report.
For this engagement, Nordicity will be partnering with diversity and inclusion specialist, Karen Tisch, who will act as Project Director. Karen will be actively involved in all aspects of the project including performing equity analyses of existing programs, services and facilities and designing an equity framework. Karen has extensive experience in equity policy development and arts and culture-based consulting. Some of her past clients include the Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, imagineNATIVE Film & Media Festival, Diaspora Dialogues, Onelight Theatre, and FACTOR.
The creation of an Equity Plan Report was emphasized as a priority action in the EDC’s Divisional Strategy(2018-2022). The Divisional Strategy was created after intensive engagement and consultation with residents and industry leaders who stressed the importance of increased equity and inclusion initiatives.
The Project Team have developed a four-phase methodology that includes tasks such as facilitating meetings with stakeholders and focus groups, developing a 5-year action and implementation plan, and creating an engagement and outreach strategy.
The report will aim to assist the EDC Division in determining how it can effectively offer programs and services to equity-seeking groups and develop a plan to increase participation in City-led cultural opportunities in underserved communities. In a broader sense, the report will provide the EDC Division with a toolbox that will assist it in aligning with the City's effort to promote diversity and inclusion.
Nordicity’s Project Manager for this engagement is Peter Lyman, plyman@nordicity.com.