The David Seguin Memorial Award promotes accessibility in the arts by providing support to artists with disabilities.

DMSA Special Initiative in Response to COVID-19

With the cancellation of this summer’s Toronto Fringe Festival, the David Seguin Memorial Award for Accessibility in the Arts was not awarded as usual this year. Instead, the Seguin family used 2020’s award to provide immediate support to artists with disabilities. 

35 artists with disabilities were awarded $100 micro grants to help cover basic living expenses, such as rent and groceries. Artists with disabilities have been hit hard by the pandemic as not only are they facing the hardships created by an industry-wide shutdown, but they have also seen a reduction in support and an increase in costs as a result of the physical distancing measures that have been implemented to contain the virus.