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Black Lives Matter

We are deeply saddened and angered by the recent news of police brutality, racism, and violence happening in the U.S. and Canada. Artscape stands in solidarity with our Black employees and community of creators in raising our voice to say that Black lives matter. We are all indebted to the activism, art and cultural contributions of Black creators. As an organization whose core values align with community, we have a responsibility to use our platform to share info and resources that combat racism, hatred and discrimination in our society.

Actions we can take to help support the Black community:

  • Donate to the BLM movement, national bail funds, and the families of those affected by police violence
  • Get involved with a local BLM chapter
  • Make a conscious effort to consume and support Black art and patronize more Black-owned businesses
  • Engage in these important, and often difficult conversations within your own circles on dismantling white supremacy and anti-blackness, and learn about how racism often operates unconsciously through implicit biases.

We encourage you to use your voice to let our governments, our police forces, and our fellow citizens know that racism will not be tolerated, and systemic change needs to happen now.

List of resources for the non-Black community to support the Black community in Canada (includes fundraisers for families etc)

Anti-racism resources 

Donations made through this link are split across 38 bail funds in the US

Compilation of places to donate on Twitter 
Directory of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in Toronto 

Crowd-sourced list of bail funds to assist folks unjustly placed under arrest

Ada Slaight Youth Arts Mentorship Program 2019

Are you a youth (age 16 – 26) interested in the arts and taking your talent to the next level? Well this is the program for you! We have started recruitment for youth interested in the arts to join the 2019 edition of the Ada Slaight Youth Arts Mentorship Program.

Through this program, you will

  • Connect with other professional artists (musicians, visual artists, dancers, etc.) to learn about their everyday hustle and paths to success
  • Get partnered with an industry mentor who can help you take your game to the next level
  • Visit the city’s most influential arts and cultural institutions
  • Deepen their artistry and get plugged into Toronto’s arts community
  • Put together an amazing culminating showcase

Continue reading →

Announcing Jermyn Creed, Community Hub Manager

Artscape is pleased to announce Jermyn Creed as the new Community Hub Manager at Daniels Spectrum.

Jermyn is a long-time friend of Daniels Spectrum, having contributed to events and programs like the Ada Slaight Youth Arts Mentorship Program for many years, and worked as a Support Worker with Pathways to Education Regent Park since 2010. He brings a wealth of experience in working with community, owing to his background as a counsellor and facilitator, and training in social justice and coaching. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Regent Park Arts Non Profit Development Corporation—the entity that owns Daniels Spectrum—from 2016 to this year.

As Community Hub Manager, Jermyn is responsible for the day to day management of Daniels Spectrum, working with our staff, tenants, stakeholders and partners. In keeping with our mandate, he will help maintain and build our strong and vibrant community, and foster the conditions for artists and creative organizations to thrive at Daniels Spectrum.

Please join us in welcoming Jermyn to our amazing team.

Daniels Spectrum Fire Details

On Wednesday, May 30, fire broke out within Daniels Spectrum. The building suffered limited fire and smoke damage. Portions of the first and second floors experienced water damage from the activation of the building’s sprinkler system. Local fire and police departments are investigating the incident, and have confirmed they suspect arson as the cause.

This is a challenging situation for Artscape as the building operator, and for the non-profit organizations located within the facility and the artists, community members and partners engaged with Daniels Spectrum. The building remains closed to the public since May 30 due to ongoing recovery work, and Daniels Spectrum tenants are working together to make arrangements for impacted events and programs.

Artscape CEO Tim Jones said, “Daniels Spectrum was born six years ago out of love for Regent Park, and in celebration of inclusivity. Last week’s senseless act will not diminish this love and embrace, but will ultimately strengthen Daniels Spectrum and its community of partners and supporters.”

Repairs are required to return many spaces within the building to safe and operable condition, including Ada Slaight Hall, the performance and event venue operated as a social enterprise by Artscape, Native Earth’s Aki Studio and Regent Park School of Music. Some spaces re-opened on June 3 to provide limited access to staff, some tenant organizations and Centre for Social Innovation members and visitors. The re-opening of the building will occur in phases as remediation work to floors, walls, building services and technical equipment is completed. A re-opening of Ada Slaight Hall is anticipated at the start of July.

Isaac Thomas, Managing Director of Native Earth Performing Arts said, “We’ve had to find other homes for our June presentation, and some of our rentals have been more severely impacted. However this setback is only temporary, as remediation to our studio will be completed in the following two weeks. Aki Studio programming will resume from July onwards.”

Artscape will be providing updates on its social media channels and website about how the community can support the re-opening.


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