Artscape is a not-for-profit organization that
makes space for creativity and transforms communities.
Artscape is a not-for-profit organization that
makes space for creativity and transforms communities.
January 13, 2011
Artscape announced today the first group of artists and non-profit organizations that will soon call Artscape YOUNGplace home. In December 2010, Artscape purchased the historic Shaw Street School from the Toronto District School Board.
Artscape announced today the first group of artists and non-profit organizations that will soon call Artscape YOUNGplace home. In December 2010, Artscape purchased the historic Shaw Street School from the Toronto District School Board.
The new owners and tenants include: Centre for Indigenous Theatre, College-Montrose Children’s Place, Intergalactic Arts Coop, Paperhouse Studio, Red Pepper Spectacle Arts, SKETCH, Small World Music Society, Barbara Astman, photographer, Emily Filler, painter, Miriam Grenville, textile artist, Vid Ingelevics, photographer and Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith, musician.
A description of artist and non-profit organization programming activities can be found in the Backgrounder section of this release.
A number of work studios at Artscape YOUNGplace are still available for purchase by professional artists and non-profit arts and community organizations at below-market rates. Available studios range in size from approximately 500 to 1,500 sq. ft. and may be used for production, exhibition, education, programming and administrative purposes.
Once complete, Artscape YOUNGplace will offer a theatre training facility, a centre for dance and performance, papermaking skills programs, community-based multi-media workshops, arts training for marginalized youth, music education for amateurs and professionals, family resources to support the local community, screenings, openings, performances, daily exhibitions and nightly events.
Artscape YOUNGplace will repurpose the existing historic Shaw Street School, bringing new life to this grand Beaux-Arts heritage building. Located at 180 Shaw Street, the building lies in the heart of the West Queen West alternative arts district, just steps from Trinity-Bellwoods Park and the galleries and restaurants of the lively Ossington Avenue strip.
“I am aware that the Artscape YOUNGplace project is quite unique not only in Toronto but internationally and offers a model for others in terms of seeing cultural activity, heritage preservation and city-building as integrated goals. The care with which Artscape has worked with the local community to set up the ownership/rental situations is a key reason I applied to be here,” said owner and photographer Vid Ingelevics. “It will save a wonderful heritage building, allowing it to continue to anchor the neighbourhood, and will form a new hub of artistic activity that will bring visitors to the Queen St. W. area. It will result in the formation of a stable community of artists in a city where artists tend to be squeezed out economically as soon as real estate prices go up in the neighbourhoods where they live and work.”
“Artscape YOUNGplace and the surrounding vibrant neighbourhood is an ideal environment for Intergalactic Arts Coop to establish a home for creation and experimentation in the performing arts,” said Susan Lee, I-GAC member. “Resultant creative exploits will be far-reaching and resonate through our community of arts professionals as well as our audiences, students and clients. We are eager to bring our work to a new space and look forward to contributing to this strong, creative community.”
Artscape YOUNGplace will be a multi-dimensional facility designed to build capacity for creativity and innovation and bring people and ideas together under one roof. The Centre will house a diverse mix of creators working in a variety of disciplines, as well as arts, community and social mission organizations.
Artscape is making a significant investment to restore the 75,000 sq. ft. structure, with the scope of work estimated to be $13M. The Artscape Foundation, Artscape’s charitable arm, is fundraising to support the philanthropic goals for the Centre. Project design is currently underway and will include a number of environmentally sustainable components. The design of the renovation will be led by Teeple Architects with construction managed by The Dalton Company. Artscape YOUNGplace is expected to open in Spring 2013.
Artscape YOUNGplace builds upon Artscape’s self-sustaining development model by offering ownership and rental opportunities for artists and not-for-profit organizations at below-market rates. Artscape achieves the below-market purchase price on ownership studios by providing a 25% no-interest, payment free second mortgage. This mix fills an important need in the arts community by offering some artists and organizations the opportunity to purchase their work space permanently while allowing Artscape to continue to address the needs of the arts community for long-term affordable rental space.
