Parents looking to keep the kids busy this weekend should check out TIFF’s Wonders and Wardrobes, a fun costume activity that will get visitors ready for the paparazzi. Part of TIFF’s Culture Days programming, the event runs October 1 and 2 at TIFF Bell Lightbox from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Culture Days is an annual (began in 2010) nationwide event designed to raise awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement by all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.
Shane Smith, Director of Public Programmes for TIFF, spoke with Criticize This! about their involvement.
Barb Ateljevic: Where are the clothes from for Wonders and Wardrobes?
Shane Smith: Clothes and props come from a variety of sources – including donations, purchases and even some from film and TV shoots. There are a variety of fun clothes and props, from uniforms and hats to feather boas and hula skirts!
BA: How does this fit into TIFF, and why?
SS: Culture Days embraces a core vision that every individual, regardless of age, background or experience, has the right to access and participate actively in the arts and cultural life of their community and that that the arts and cultural sector makes a vital contribution to the economic and social development of every community in Canada. TIFF shares this vision.
BA: What is the importance of providing family programming?
SS: TIFF Bell Lightbox is committed to helping support the next generation of filmmakers and to finding fun and educational ways for children and families to connect with film/the arts. We offer year-round screenings, workshops, exhibitions and learning activities for film lovers of all ages. Our family programming includes The Family Classics film series (Saturdays at 2 p.m.), Saturday drop-in activities (often themed for the holidays – Halloween coming up!), March break and summer camps. We also have community outreach programmes such as Film Circuit and Special Delivery and exciting elementary and secondary programmes that help foster imaginations and spark creativity in the classroom or through workshops at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
BA: What do you hope kids/families get out of this?
SS: Culture Day activities are designed to foster appreciation and support of the artistic and cultural life that is lived, created and expressed in local communities across the country. We hope that TIFF Bell Lightbox’s Culture Days activities will help achieve this in the Greater Toronto Area. And above all we hope that families joining us this weekend have fun!
TIFF Bell Lightbox is located at 350 King Street West, Reitman Square (at the corner of King and John). For more info on Wonders and Wardrobes, visit culturedays.ca.
