edition 17

February 2006

The Space Issue:

An Introduction by Executive Director Claire Hopkinson

There has been a considerable amount of newsprint devoted to arts space(s) recently. The excellent news regarding the recent openings of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, OCAD, and fabulous new National Ballet School is tempered by controversies over the Green/Arts Barn project (thankfully now resolved!), and threatened closings of alternative theatre venues. For over twenty years the music scene has lamented the lack of a permanent home for contemporary music, now coming to crisis point. Work on the new opera house, a new Conservatory and planned Film Centre - plus major renovations to the AGO, ROM, and George Gardiner Ceramic Museum are taking centre stage with the media and arts patrons alike. The arts are truly a fundamental part of city building, and each arts facility transforms the neighbourhood around it. This issue of the Coalition News reveals a few viewpoints and few initiatives regarding this critical issue which affects all of us in Toronto. We hope you enjoy it.

Claire Hopkinson
Executive Director
Toronto Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council Foundation

SOLUTIONS: TIM JONES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ARTSCAPE

Artscape is a non-profit enterprise that builds creative communities and expands knowledge about the dynamics of creative places. Now in its 20th year of operation, Artscape began as an initiative of the Toronto Arts Council at a time when the real estate market was booming and artists and small arts organizations were being priced-out of Toronto’s central core. More...