MEMO YOUTH ARTS PITCH CONTEST WINNER, 2009

“MOST YOUTH ARE NOT GIVEN THAT TIME TO LEARN TO DEVELOP AN ‘ELEVATOR PITCH’. NOT ONLY DOES IT GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GET MONEY, IT GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO WORK ON KNOWING HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR IDEA IN FIVE MINUTES.”

Spoken word artist Memo has a simple explanation for why he entered the ArtReach pitch contest, “When I heard ‘pitch contest’, I thought ‘great idea’, and I knew I had a great idea”. The judges agreed. In fact, Memo is not short on great ideas. Since winning the pitch contest, he has used his increased profile to pursue new projects, including Spoken Film, a spoken word and film project engaging youth in Toronto's priority neighbourhoods. Spoken Film was completed in December 2010 and builds

upon the mixed-media approach Memo was able to pursue because of the pitch contest's cash prize. With the $5000 awarded to him in 2009, Memo was able to pay a videographer/producer, launch his website, and record and manufacture a 2-disc compilation, In The Making. With these resources, Memo was able to transform himself from a spoken-word poet to a multi-media artist utilizing spoken word, writing, film, and music. In The Making contains spoken word, Latin-American influenced hip-hop, and a documentary on the history of spoken word in Toronto.

While the pitch contest provided a financial boost, skills gained through the process of developing the pitch have also allowed his artistic career to continue growing. For Memo, the process of feedback was a “crucial component” of his success. ArtReach's workshops helped Memo “get organized” and taught him to communicate his ideas clearly and effectively. The win helped him demonstrate to funders that he was capable of success. Memo’s resourcefulness and positive reputation were rewarded with further opportunities. Following the pitch contest Memo received funding from ArtReach Toronto, Laidlaw Foundation, and Ontario Arts Council. He has also turned his passion for writing into a career. In addition to his numerous projects, Memo is a youth worker who teaches creative writing as a means of self-expression. When asked to describe his experience with the pitch contest, Memo says, “I thought it was amazing. It felt really good to have that money in hand. I had an overwhelming feeling in my heart, ‘now my project can succeed, this is the year I am going to get everything accomplished.’

VIDEO (PREVIEW OF IN THE MAKING DOCUMENTARY): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4mH9cVI3TE  The 2009 Youth Arts Pitch Contest was an init iative of ArtReach Toronto, City of Toronto Cultural Services, Manifesto and Toronto Community Housing. The contest provided three $5,000 prizes to youth in the categories of Community Arts Groups, Individual Art ists and Arts Entrepreneurs to support them to pursue their dreams and kick start their futures.

ARTREACH TORONTO PROFILES www.artreachtoronto.ca