RISER pivots to support artists with digital arts residencies
Each year, Why Not supports independent theatre artists in bringing their work to the stage. RISER – a collaborative producing model – provides significant in-kind production support and producing mentorship in preparation of four different productions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Why Not had to do things a bit differently last year.
RISER Digital became a residency opportunity for artists whose productions were cancelled (due to COVID). To continue supporting the original artists of RISER Toronto 2020 – while still prioritizing the health and safety of the creative teams – Why Not provided funding and resources for the development of digitally-based works. This residency period offered artists the means to experiment and create in a new medium, without having the pressures of creating a “finished product”.
What follows are four examples of the works developed during this residency: some new digital art projects, others documentation of works in progress. COVID-19 continues to have a big impact on live-performing artists’ ability to develop and produce their work. We were happy that, with our supporters, we could provide the opportunity for artists to create and explore despite the upheaval.
