A new endowment fund has been named for a BIPOC pioneer in local theatre and the national TV and music scene.

The Arts Club Theatre's new Denis Simpson Fund will support the company’s antiracism and inclusion initiatives.

Simpson, who died suddenly in 2010, was an original member of the a capella group the Nylons and a beloved character on the kids' TV show The Polka Dot Door before becoming a mainstay on the Arts Club stage here.

The fund in his honour is the company's attempt at systemic change, using the endowment to create ongoing apprenticeships, commissions, internships, and more. The Arts Club has committed $10,000 to the Denis Simpson Fund, hoping to fundraise $20,000 more by August 15. (Contributions can be made online at artsclub.com).

In addition, all proceeds from the live reading of Arts Club 2018 Silver Commission Redbone Coonhound on August 14 will also go towards the fund. (The reading is part of the company’s upcoming Dialled Up: An Arts Club Community Celebration festival, happening online from August 8 to 14).

Born in Jamaica, Simpson came to Toronto at 8, performing in the original Canadian production of Hair at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre at just 19. The actor, singer, writer, director, and choreographer would go on to become a force on the Vancouver stage scene, starring in shows like the 1980s hit Ain't Misbehavin’ and, later on, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. In all, he appeared on the Arts Club’s stages for 25 years in more than 20 productions.

In his one-man show Denis Anyone? in the mid-90s, he talked about his experience growing up Black in Canada. 

The Arts Club recently posted a Statement of Action that includes a new role for artist and activist Omari Newton as a Community Liaison throughout the summer to focus on practices of inclusion at the Arts Club and making recommendations and plans for the company. As part of the same initiative, it's committed to hiring an accessibility coordinator to help create inclusive programs for persons with disabilities, including artists, audiences, and staff. It is also undertaking an internal audit to collect data about the diversity of its "past and current teams, including staff, artists and board members".