Project time period: May 2024 - Oct 2024
Listen Up! - What immigrant musicians, in Toronto, want you to know.
What does it really take to build a creative career in a new country? And, how can we better support the immigrant folks trying to make it?
My role for this project: Design & Research Director / Main tasks: Research strategy and design, workshop facilitator, data analysis, and final report writing/fanzine design.
As Canada’s Global Orchestra, KUNE has long been dedicated to building connections and supporting meaningful careers for immigrant musicians. In 2024, as the collective evolved into a global music hub, it became a natural moment to pause, reflect, and learn from the very community it serves.
To this end, I was invited to design and lead a research study aimed at exploring the lived experiences, challenges, and opportunities faced by immigrant musicians in Toronto. Matias Recharte, KUNE’s Director, served as the Project Lead, while Iván Escobar from Mask Off took on the role of Project Coordinator. I had the privilege of being the Designer and Principal Researcher.
We had two goals in mind:
Hold space for these artists and learn from their experiences.
Co-create solutions to the barriers they encounter.
We created a Zine compiling our key findings, and a Final Report which has a more in-depth account of our project.
You can download both of them here —>
We discovered a wealth of insight; stories of resilience, creativity, and determination. From navigating the complexities of the music industry to balancing cultural identities in a new country, the musicians we talked to shared challenges that are as diverse as they are inspiring.
Together, we imagined ways to address these hurdles, building a roadmap for programs that truly reflect their needs and aspirations.
This work reinforced something I’ve always believed: meaningful change starts with listening, with understanding the nuances and complexities of real lives and translating those insights into programs that truly serve a community.
It was a reminder that supporting immigrant creators isn’t just about acknowledging their contributions—it’s about creating systems that enable them to thrive.
As KUNE grows into a new platform, I’m proud to be part of this process, helping to lay the foundation for a more inclusive and vibrant future for Canada’s creative landscape.
This is just the beginning! We’ve applied for funding to pilot some of the ideas we presented based on our research in 2025! Meanwhile, we’re still working on developing partnerships and alliances and will continue to create opportunities to meet, discuss and learn from each other. So if you have any ideas or suggestions, hit me up!
If you’d like to hear more from KUNE, check out their Spotify and keep up to date with their performance schedule via Instagram. Need a little more context? Visit their website to learn more about their journey and the amazing work they’ve done over the years.
Text: Val Duarte
Photography: Joel Rodriguez