Our Promise
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is committed to creating a safe, welcoming and anti-racist space where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We strive for an atmosphere of respectful creative exchange, and positive personal and professional growth.
TOsketchfest Code of Conduct
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and where all individuals are safe. Harassment, abuse and violent acts will not be tolerated from any person. Discrimination and hate speech have no place in this Festival – on stage or off. Staff, volunteers, performers/artists and audience members all share in the responsibility for creating an environment free of harassment, violence, abuse and discrimination.
Reporting an Incident
Individuals who witness or experience harassment, violence, abuse or discrimination during TOsketchfest activities or in our spaces are encouraged to report it to either a festival staff person, or anonymously through our anonymous reporting form.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival began an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) audit in January 2021. This page is meant to be a living document that will reflect the ongoing EDI efforts and provide transparency to the internal process.
Festival Statement
On June 19, 2020 the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival shared their organizational statement:
To our artists, staff, volunteers and audiences we apologize for failing to create an inclusive, safe, and accessible space at TOsketchfest.
Read the full statement here:
A Note from the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Audit & Community Consultation
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival began meetings with various Equity and Diversity organizations in August 2020.
In December 2020 TOSketchFest engaged Bespoke Cultural Collective to conduct a diversity audit of our organization to uncover opportunities for improvement as well as consult with BIPOC members of the Toronto sketch comedy community for an unbiased assessment of their activities, mandate, and role in the artistic community.
This assessment will inform a framework for change as TOSketchFest moves forward as an actively anti-racist organization that centres creating a safe space for marginalized artists, staff members, and audience members.
The consultation process and timeline:
PHASE ONE: Research and Information Gathering
(Spring 2021)
During this current phase of work, Bespoke is learning about TOSketchFest through an audit of materials and in-depth conversations with community members. Bespoke is also performing best practice desk research, identifying and speaking with people who are doing outstanding work embedding equity, inclusion and diversity into their organizations.
PHASE TWO: Focus Group Consulting and Facilitation
(June 2021 – April 2022)
During this phase, Bespoke will design and facilitate two 90-minute online Focus Groups, as well as circulating a survey to staff, jurors, performers, and partners to gain an honest assessment of TOSketchFest’s activities, mandate and role in the artistic community.
PHASE FOUR: Synthesis and Report
(September 2021 – Ongoing)
During this phase, Bespoke will take a holistic look at the data collected since May 2021, and provide a Final Evaluation Report and Recommendation document that identifies the key findings from the Focus Groups and survey.
Should there be any major changes to this plan or timeline, the changes will be reflected on this page. This page was last updated October 18, 2022.
If you have feedback or questions in the meantime, please email Damien@torontosketchfest.com