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.
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival initiated discussions with various Equity and Diversity consultants in August 2020.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, TOsketchfest worked with Bespoke Cultural Collective to conduct a diversity audit of the organization. The goal was to identify areas for improvement and consult with BIPOC members of the Toronto sketch comedy community for an unbiased evaluation of TOsketchfest’s activities, mandate, and role in the artistic community.
This assessment, largely completed in 2022, has influenced several decisions and actions taken by the organization in recent years. In 2023, the Festival revamped its approach to programming decisions. Now, a small, diverse jury of sketch comedy professionals reviews every submission and makes programming recommendations. The names and bios of jury members are disclosed annually. Diversity was a key focus in a recent board renewal, bringing BIPOC comedy leaders into the governance of the organization. Furthermore, TOsketchfest has put deliberate emphasis on showcasing BIPOC leadership and expertise in the community by engaging BIPOC creators as instructors and panellists in our Learning and Fun programming.
The Festival, its staff and leadership continue to learn and grow. We are grateful for the work done by Bespoke Cultural Collective, and the honest and thoughtful feedback provided by BIPOC members of the comedy community through this process.