Meet the Tenants of Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre

In September 2010, Artscape announced the list of arts and social enterprise organizations who would become tenants in the new Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre. Two years later, in September 2012, the centre will open its doors to the world.


It’s time to take another look at this dynamic group of organizations.


Individually they have developed reputations for being deeply engaged with their communities, for fostering creativity and social innovation, for developing and nurturing arts and culture and creating transformative cross-cultural experiences. As they take up residence in their new homes, we’re looking forward to watching how collaboration and innovation push them to the next level!

COBA Collective of Black Artists

With 4,800 square feet on the first floor, COBA’s new space has been specifically designed for dance and drumming. They offer programs for all ages and skill levels, from kids just beginning to explore drumming and dance to professional dancers who want to practice and hone their skills. Through their work, COBA has developed a membership that sustains and inspires African Diasporic Art. Check out one of their upcoming open houses to try a class or learn more about the company’s upcoming performances.


Native Earth Performing Arts

With 3,400 square feet on the first floor and 1,400 square feet on the second floor, Native Earth will continue its work of advocating for, developing and presenting the work of Aboriginal artists. When not presenting their own programming, their space will house three other Resident Companies: Cahoots Theatre Company, fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company and Kaha:wi Dance. This partnership ensures that not only stability and access to space for these companies, but also ensures the centre will deliver on its promise to explore and express the ethno-cultural diversity that makes up Toronto. 


Art Heart Community Art Centre

With 1,800-square-foot on the second floor, ArtHeart will be able to continue its work offering free visual arts training to people of all ages living in Regent Park and inspiring their participants to develop their self-esteem, creativity and life skills. 


Regent Park Film Festival

The Festival’s new 1,700-square-foot space in the Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre will house offices, a screening room and affordable editing facilities for filmmakers. In addition to the annual four-day film festival held in early November, they organize year-round school and community screenings, panel discussions, exhibitions, educational activities and professional training for Regent Park youth. 


Regent Park School of Music

In their new 3,000-square-foot facility on the second floor, the Regent Park School of Music has more space to serve a larger core of students with more programs. Their focus will expand to include more group initiatives, helping them reach more youth than ever before.


Pathways to Education

Developed by Regent Park Community Health Centre in 2001, Pathways to Education is an innovative program that supports youth so that they will successfully complete high school, continue on to post-secondary programs and become actively engaged in their career development. Pathways addresses the systemic barriers to education by providing leadership, expertise and a community-based program that works to increase academic retention, attainment and success for high school students.


Centre for Social Innovation (CSI)

CSI’s 10,000-square-foot shared workspace occupies the entire third floor, and like their other two locations this will be a place where residents, artists, cultural organizations and entrepreneurs come together to share ideas, resources, advice and inspiration. CSI’s vision is a vibrant, dynamic hub that meets the diverse needs of the community while pushing forward the possibilities that can be achieved by working together.