Nightwood Theatre is thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s Arts Etobicoke President’s Legacy Scholarship Fund, the Louise Garfield Scholarship – Vivian Chong. This annual cash prize is presented to an artist whose work has received development support from Nightwood as a ‘later in life’ emerging creator. The recipient connects deeply to the company’s feminist mission and will have significantly enriched their community’s cultural or civic life. We are grateful that Louise has chosen Nightwood Theatre as the artistic home for this special award. It is part of Arts Etobicoke’s Presidents’ Legacy Scholarship Fund and is given annually and in perpetuity alongside 16 scholarships through an endowment fund at the Ontario Arts Foundation.

About Vivian Chong

Vivian Chong is an artist, playwright, theatre creator, actor, and dancer.  She was a Dora award nominee. Vivian is passionate about accessible theatre and art. December 2015 Vivian’s one woman show “The Sunglasses Monologue” was spotlighted at Second City theatre. April 2020 Her show “Dancing With The Universe” was part of the CoMMotion art and disability festival. December 2020 Vivian’s graphic memoir “Dancing After TEN” was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award. February 2024 Movie “Strong Woman” was featured at Common Boots Theatre. In February 2025, Blind Dates. Writen, performed, and composed by Vivian was featured at Theatre Passe Muraille. 

“Thank you Nightwood Theatre for your continuing support and recognition of my creations. I am honoured to receive the Louise Garfield Award. I am motivated to continue to bring laughter, activism, and feminist subjects to my work.”

About Louise Garfield

Louise Garfield is a veteran of the thriving cultural community in Toronto since the 1970s. Her varied background in dance, theatre, film & television, as a producer, performer and choreographer lend her administrator’s eyes a distinct sensibility. She is Executive Director Emerita at Arts Etobicoke, where she lead the organization for fourteen dynamic years. In 2017 Louise received an Urban Hero Award for her contributions to the arts and culture in Etobicoke.

“In so many ways, this scholarship completes a wobbly, uneven circle in my life,” says Garfield. “Years ago, Nightwood nurtured The Clichettes in the early stages of our development. It was part of the root system as feminist artists in Toronto. So the idea of bringing along another wave of artists to be supported while they create new work, is just a thrill! My heartfelt thanks to both Arts Etobicoke and Nightwood Theatre for the honour.”