Posted by TO Live
TO Live’s Making Space, an initiative designed to provide subsidized access to venues for artists across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. This program aims to support the artistic community by offering affordable spaces for rehearsals, creative residencies, workshops, meetings, and research, empowering local artists to create, collaborate, and innovate.
“As stewards of three iconic civic buildings—the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Meridian Arts Centre, and Meridian Hall—TO Live is committed to providing space for artistic growth and experimentation,” says Clyde Wagner, President and CEO of TO Live. “With Making Space, TO Live continues its mission to foster the arts by giving Toronto’s creative community the resources they need to thrive.”
“We know how important it is for artists to have access to spaces for creating, rehearsing, and even just dreaming,” added Wagner. “Making Space is our way of ensuring local artists have the tools they need to bring their visions to life, while ensuring our spaces are open and welcoming to everyone. We encourage applications from artists reflective of the diverse, vibrant cultures of Toronto.”
Key features of the program:
- Affordable space: Subsidized rehearsal spaces, residencies, and workshops at TO Live’s renowned venues.
- Priority for small to mid-sized organizations: Non-profit organizations, individual artists, and artist collectives are encouraged to apply.
- Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton focus: The program prioritizes applications from residents of Toronto and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
- First-come, first-served basis: Applications are accepted year-round, with space allocation based on availability and requirements.
The Making Space initiative has been incredibly impactful, as Kelly Clipperton, a Toronto-based singer, actor, and performer, puts it, “The smallest little bit of encouragement can go a long way, especially with creative minds.”
TO Live, a large-scale organization, plays a crucial role in supporting independent artists, as Naomi Campbell, former artistic director of Luminato, emphasizes: “The fact that they’re constantly supporting independent artists who don’t have the same kind of infrastructure is extremely important.”
The vast, open spaces at TO Live allow artists to truly dream big, with independent contemporary dance artist Naishi Wang noting, “Being able to create and imagine in a space that is this large really allows us to dream big. We can be expansive in our movement and our concept and our desires.”
For Susanna Fournier, an actor and playwright, the residencies at TO Live have been essential in fostering creativity: “The residencies that we’ve done at TO Live have been instrumental in allowing us to explore. Being able to experiment and play and jam together and have everyone in the room offering ideas allows you to distill whatever your first question and try every idea and follow your impulses.”
Award-winning Canadian pianist Luke Welch added: “In each of my past collaborations with TO Live, the experiences have been nothing shy of exceptional as the friendly, caring, enthusiastic group assisted in every way to make my recording experience successful. This very respectful, talented group knows the arts scene very well and ensures that everything functions smoothly and hospitably. TO Live has been nothing shy of first class, and I very much hope to collaborate with them again in the future!”
Together, these voices highlight how TO Live’s commitment to nurturing independent artists and providing a space for exploration and collaboration is vital to the creative process. TO Live recognizes the barriers that artists face when it comes to securing rehearsal or performance space and is committed to removing those barriers by providing affordable options for those who need them most. Artists and organizations that have not previously had the opportunity to use TO Live’s spaces will be given priority, though returning artists can re-apply for space one year after their last use.
Please note: The availability of subsidized space is contingent upon available funding. Once allocated funding for the year has been exhausted, we will no longer be able to offer subsidized space.
Applications are now open and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to apply, visit https://tolive.com/Making-Space