George Brown Dance was well-represented at the 2021 Mayor’s Arts Lunch, an event that celebrates art and artists in Toronto. Hosted online by the Toronto Arts Foundation, the Mayor's Arts Lunch brought together artists, cultural leaders, and leaders from all levels of government to recognize artists and arts organizations in Toronto.
Vivine Scarlett, a member of the Program Advisory Committee for George Brown Dance, received the Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Dance. This award celebrates an artist who has contributed to the cultural life of Toronto through outstanding achievement in music or dance. Scarlett is the founder of dance Immersion, an organization that supports dancers and dances of the African Diaspora, and a partner of Canada’s Ballet Jörgen.
“I give thanks for the many blessings. I give thanks to ancestors for the path they have paved. I do what I do because I believe in the greatness of who we are, sharing knowledge of past and learning for the future. There’s so many people to thank. I thank everyone who has been part of my journey.” – Vivine Scarlett
George Brown Dance graduate Irma Villafuerte was one of three finalists for the Emerging Artist Award, which celebrates the accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto artist. Villafuerte is a dancer, educator, and first-generation daughter of refugees from Nahuat Pipil Territory Kuskatan, El Salvador.
"We would not have made it through the pandemic if it wasn’t for the arts," said Mayor John Tory."I know that the arts and artists will play a huge role in inspiring [and] getting people back out in our city."
