Multidisciplinary artist Oluseye has been named as the recipient of the 2023 Breakthrough Artist Award by the Toronto Arts Foundation.
Formerly the Emerging Artist Award, it celebrates the accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto-based artist working in any discipline. The intention of the award, established in 2006, is to support the development or completion of new work by creatives in various fields.
A specialist 10-person panel, comprising curators, critics, commentators, artists and others passionate about the arts, reviews the nominations every year, after which the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Board of Directors makes a final decision. The Breakthrough Artist Award is presented each year at the Toronto Arts Awards Lunch.
Talking to CBC Radio, Oluseye explains that this recognition goes far beyond just himself. “It’s for the people, it’s for the communities, particularly the people of North Preston, Cherry Brook and East Preston in Nova Scotia, who have been so gracious and welcomed me on my quest to find out what it means to be a Black Canadian.” He continues: “My work is centered around putting Black histories on the map, especially Black Canadian histories, as well as reinforcing Black histories as fundamentally Canadian.”
The Toronto Arts Foundation began in 1995, funded by a private investment, and has since developed into a thriving organisation with extensive programming, research and awards. It is recognised in the arts sector as a champion of artistic excellence in the city of Toronto. The vision of the foundation and its supporters is to transform and enrich communities through the arts.
Alongside Oluseye, the two finalists for 2023 are portraiture photographer Jorian Charlton, and singer, songwriter, performer and vocal coach Rammah Mohammad. Past winners include spoken word poet and photographer Shelly Grace; artist, performer and educator, Britta B.; and artist and programmer Josh Vettivelu.
