Ontario Trillium Foundation Project Underway

$93,100 Grant from the Province’s Ontario Trillium Foundation Fosters d/Deaf-Hearing Collaborations

Toronto, ON – On Thursday, MPP Chris Glover joined artists, technologists, and organizers with the Music Gallery to learn about the impact of a $93,100 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant, awarded last fall, has enabled the Music Gallery to pilot a project engaging d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in ongoing music performance and collaboration.

“Music has the power to bring us together, spark our imagination, and help us feel connected to one another. I’m very happy to hear about this grant that will support the Music Gallery as they create more opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists and audiences to fully participate in Toronto’s vibrant music community. This is about making sure everyone has the chance to experience, create, and share in the joy of music,” said Chris Glover, MPP for Spadina-Fort York.

The project enabled the purchase of special adaptive equipment from Hamilton-based VibraFusionLab (VFL). The equipment converts sound into vibrations allowing real time perception and interaction with d/Deaf performers. The project culminated in an intensive workshop in partnership with Deaf-led arts collective Phoenix the Fire wherein 10 artists collaborated and experimented with the new equipment. Artists and partners are consulting with the Music Gallery to bring new routines into future residencies, workshops, and concerts in order to better serve d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists and audiences. 

“The Music Gallery has been a fixture of experimental music and sound in the region for 50 years,” said Matthew Fava, Executive Director, Music Gallery. “The best way we can live up to that legacy is by continuing to expand the communities we work with, and challenging our assumptions about listening and feeling. We look forward to sharing what we have learned and raising accessibility standards in our field.”

The Music Gallery cultivates artistic experimentation and community through sound, music and sharing in the creative process. They are presenting the 21^st edition of the X Avant Festival, October 14-16, at First Unitarian Church in Toronto. 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Matthew Fava, Executive Director
The Music Gallery
416.204.1080
matthew@musicgallery.org