A Trans Day of Visibility experience that moved beyond awareness—and into connection.
Originally Published: Oct. 2025
Updated: March 30, 2026
What does visibility really mean—and who gets to be seen?
In 2025, we set out to answer that question by centering the voices of trans and non-binary artists in a space that doesn’t always make room for them.
Trans Day of Visibility 2026
Each year, Trans Day of Visibility invites us to reflect on what it means to truly see and celebrate trans lives.
Last year, I had the privilege of helping bring this to life. The Art of Visibility is an experience that uplifts, and inspires through art, poetry, and storytelling.
This year, I’m resharing this work — because these voices still matter. And because visibility isn’t just about being seen.
It’s about being understood. Step inside, and join a remarkable group of artists, who share the power of visibility, from their unique perspectives.
Meet the artists, poets, and explore our interactive virtual exhibition here: The Art of Visibility: A Virtual Art Installation
A Peak Inside The Art Of Visibility Gallery:
In this video, Cynthia is going to take you inside the virtual exhibit and show you around…
Case Study: A Simply Good Form Project
- Partner Organization: EY Canada, Canvas Art Programs (Toronto)
- Event: Trans Day of Visibility 2025 — “The Art of Visibility”
- Scope: End-to-end event concept, design, production, and partnership coordination
- Timeline: 2.5 months (concept to launch)
- Location: EY Tower, Toronto + National virtual exhibition
- Attendance: 140 in-person + nationwide digital reach
- Charity Partner: Canvas Art Programs (Toronto)
- Community Collaborators: 9 trans and non-binary creators — 5 artists from OCAD University, 4 poets from Canvas Programs
The Challenge
Simply Good Form approached EY with a proposal for their annual Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV) celebrations. EY Canada wanted to mark Trans Day of Visibility authentically. Their goal: actions that align with their global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values and trans inclusion. Our client has a history of high standards in event authenticity. They sought something that would go beyond performative gestures and build a true connection.
The Challenge:
The challenge wasn’t hosting an event.
It was creating something that felt real—something that moved beyond performative allyship and into meaningful, lived visibility.
The Approach
1. Co-Creation Across Distance
From concept to execution, Simply Good Form coordinated remotely with EY’s Toronto-based DEI and communications teams — demonstrating the power of collaboration and creative agility. The goal was clear: to design a one-of-a-kind event that married corporate allyship with community impact.
2. Centering Artists and Poets from within the trans community
This work was created alongside trans and gender-diverse young adults. Nine trans and non-binary creators were invited to explore the theme “The Art of Visibility.”
- 5 visual artists from OCAD University painted original works.
- 4 poets from Canvas Art Programs wrote original poems about visibility and were then recorded reading them aloud
Each artist was paid an honorarium and mentored through the creative process, ensuring the event was grounded in ethical, equitable engagement — not tokenism. Their original artwork was showcased live on March 31, 2025. The showcase was through ‘The Art of Visibility’, a live art exhibition, hosted by EY, Toronto.
3. Charity Partnership and Art for Change
Proceeds from 5″ x 7″ limited-edition art prints were created from the featured paintings. These proceeds went to support Canvas Art Programs. This program empowers 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Toronto through art and advocacy. Additionally, at the event, the charity hosted a table to sell additional merchandise — generating awareness and direct funding.
To support each young artist, the back of their individual art print displayed the artist’s information. It also included a QRC link to a personal interview with the artist.
4. The Live Event
Hosted on the 40th floor of EY Tower, the event was filled with natural light, emotion, and connection.
Emma Stanley
“If your disguise is all you ever show, the only people who’ll find you are those who like your disguise. Visibility is about letting people find the real you.”
- Cynthia Sweeney delivered a keynote about allyship, parenthood, and the power of visibility. Emma Stanley delivered a keynote, sharing her story — a deeply personal reflection on resilience and the journey to authenticity. Hear her keynote inside The Art of Visibility Exhibition.
- Paintings were displayed on easels, interspersed with poetry displays. Each poem was printed on custom-designed, vibrant 8 ft. stands, created in-house by EY. Event attendees met the artists, and viewed each original artwork piece up close.
- Through QR Codes beside each original piece, attendees were listened to a personal interview with each artist. They spoke about what visibility means to them. Attendees also listened to a reading of a poem and connect meaningfully with the trans community.
5. The Virtual Exhibition:
To extend the experience beyond the day, Simply Good Form produced an interactive, digital exhibition shared across EY offices nationwide. The trans inclusion exhibition was created using professional virtual exhibition platform and shared internally. The online gallery — complete with video, poetry, and artwork — transformed a single-day event into an ongoing experience of education, connection, and celebration.
This is the work we do at Simply Good Form—creating spaces where people aren’t just included, but truly seen and heard.
Outcomes & Impact
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Corporate Engagement | EY amplified visibility for community, by showcasing trans voices within one of Canada’s largest corporate networks. |
| Community Impact | 9 trans artists and poets received recognition, compensation, and exposure through a national corporate platform. |
| Charitable Benefit | Sales and visibility directly supported Canvas Art Programs’ 2SLGBTQIA+ youth initiatives. |
| Reach | 140 in-person attendees, hundreds more engaged virtually across EY’s national offices. |
| Timeline | Delivered concept-to-completion in under 10 weeks — coordinated remotely from Nova Scotia. |
Impact Summary
Simply Good Form teamed up with EY Canada. They re-imagined Trans Day of Visibility 2025 to be an art-driven celebration of authenticity, emphasizing visibility. They created this event alongside trans and gender-diverse young adults. It also promotes allyship.
Within a 10-week timeline, Cynthia Sweeney designed, curated, and produced a Toronto event. This event showcased nine trans and non-binary artists and poets from OCAD and Canvas Art Programs.
Each creator received an honorarium and mentorship. They also had the chance to present their original work before 140 attendees on the 40th floor of EY Tower. The event raised funds for Canvas. It culminated in a national virtual exhibition shared across EY offices. This extended visibility far beyond the day.
Simply Good Form used collaboration, creativity, and courage. They transformed corporate sponsorship into meaningful impact. The company elevated trans voices, built belonging, and proved that art and allyship can drive lasting change.
“Thank you for everything about last night. It was a resounding success, thanks to you. I hope you’re feeling fulfilled and proud. Cyn – thanks for all your hard work on all the details. All of them! Some things that have been said on LinkedIn include: “That was the best TDOV event ever.“
Lindsay Swanson, Canadian Leader, Supplier Diversity Equity & Inclusion, EY
“Visibility is fluid and fragile — it’s a state of being and an act of doing. It saves lives, but it must be backed by action.” Cynthia Sweeney
Key Learnings
- Creative inclusion inspires connection: Art and storytelling created empathy that data alone can not.
- Representation must be compensated: Paying and promoting trans creators ensured ethical visibility.
- Cross-province collaboration works: Virtual coordination delivered a national-scale, brand-aligned event on time.
- Corporate allyship can uplift communities: EY’s model of partnership showed that advocacy and authenticity can coexist.
- True leadership in action: In working with EY’s DEI leadership, we were proud to witness their commitment. They focused on making the event about the artists and on supporting the community. Their priority was about ‘giving space,’ and in doing so, show authentic leadership and role modeling, at its best.
Event Photography: Kiki Fashion Camera
Looking Ahead
This event has become a model for future visibility partnerships. It shows how creative collaboration can unify corporate, artistic, and community voices. Simply Good Form continues to develop arts-based inclusion initiatives that amplify trans and non-binary perspectives across Canada.
Ready to innovate your next event?
