February 12, 2007
Artscape: 20 Years In The Creative City
Last Thursday's 20th Anniversary bash for Artscape was a who's-who of Toronto arts philanthropy: the guest list boasted big names from around the city like Councillors Joe Mihevc and Gord Perks, Toronto Arts Council Executive Director Claire Hopkinson, Poet Laureate Pier Giorgio Di Cicco, and more. It was an evening of being seen, sampling a whirlwind of savoury hors d'oeuvres and trading congratulatory speeches with some of Toronto's most influential arts personalities.
Artscape can certainly afford to be self-congratulatory after the recent endowment of $3-million from the provincial government toward the Green Art Barns at Bathurst and Saint Clair. The project will redevelop the abandoned Wychwood streetcar repair barns into community space for artists, environmentalists and local residents of the area. If the foundation's work in the Distillery District and the Parkdale Arts and Cultural Centre are any indication, the Green Art Barns are sure to transform the St. Clair West area into Toronto's new cultural village.
The timing couldn't be more perfect. It seems as though the true "Bohemian" residents of the reigning artsy neighbourhood, the Queen West Triangle, could soon be retreating to greener pastures after the recent Ontario Municipal Board rulings regarding 48 Abell and its associated condo projects. Artscape CEO Tim Jones did not hesitate to express his anger at the ruling: "All this talk about creativity, innovation and cultural renaissance means nothing at all if we're prepared to sit back and watch partisan creative people being pushed out of the neighbourhoods they helped to enliven in the first place." He gave a nod of appreciation to David Miller and Toronto's City Council for opposing the OMB, which was followed by thunderous applause.
In the last 20 years, Artscape has created 240,000 square feet of cultural space dedicated to live-in work studios, offices and galleries, all in the name of building Toronto's identity as a world-class city of the arts. It's been an uphill battle, and Torontoist wishes them another two decades of success in the future.
This Thursday, February 15, Artscape presents an Urban Leadership Series session of the Canadian Urban Institute entitled The Path to Culture-led Regeneration: Who's Leading the way? from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Joseph Workman Auditorium (1001 Queen St. West). Tickets: $99-$125 (416-365-0816 ext. 234).
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Enough with the "poor 48 Abell" whine. The warehouse is a derelict, crumbling structure of no architectural interest and provides very few units per square footage; mostly to trust-fund "artists" who are young enough not to care about fire hazards and crumbling foundations.
Elitism and nimbyism is at the core of the protest. One of the towers proposed for that area is affordable housing for twice the number that currently reside at 48 abell.
As for myself, I work as a professional artist and support increased densification in downtown neighbourhoods. Toronto's downtown, as the city has grown, has become totally expensive and exclusive because of the lack of high-rise apartments and condos. A brand-new condo is usually a couple hundred thousand dollars cheaper than a decrepit, victorian semi that dominates residential downtown.
Its great to have a quaint, artistic city. But if working artists like myself can't afford to live in it, what's the point?
I have to agree with Jen's comment, 48 Abell is not so splendid a building, the costs of converting it and the relocation of existing tenants in the interm will create a challenge to say the least. Maybe it is better to build an affordable tower, one that prefers cooperative minded artists. Artists deserve to be able to afford modern live work facilities.