Community Arts Space: Request for Proposals

Since the summer of 2016, the Gardiner Museum’s Community Arts Space program has acted as an incubator for arts-based community projects. Inspired by the transformative aspects of ceramics, both real and metaphorical, the Community Arts Space initiates both dialogue, and the hands-on creation of equitable and inclusive cultural initiatives that engage and give voice to local communities.

For the past two years, the Gardiner has supported the delivery of diverse public projects and wide-ranging activities including workshops, talks, screenings, music, and performances, all offered at no cost to the public.

Now entering its third cycle, the Community Arts Space project continues to evolve and position the Museum as an active force in the community and a compelling arts destination.

The Gardiner’s 307-square-metre third-floor special exhibition hall is open to proposals for the summer of 2018 from July 3 to August 31. We’re inviting applications from cultural and community organizations, collectives, presenters, artists, curators, designers, makers, architects, organizers, and producers that outline what they would do in the special exhibition hall that relates to our Community Arts Space theme for a two-week period. The possibilities are endless—dance, music or theatre performances, workshops, community arts outreach, installations, performance art—our space is yours for the taking.

Applications for Community Arts Space 2018 are now closed. Selected applicants will be contacted in January.

Community Partners

The 519 is committed to the health, happiness, and full participation of the LGBTQ2S community. A City of Toronto agency and a registered charity with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, The 519 strives to make a real difference in people’s lives while working to promote inclusion, understanding, and respect.

In 2017, The 519 provided in-kind space and resources for artistic workshops in support of the development of two process-driven projects, NU_FORuMS and Collecting Personal Archives. For Community Arts Space 2018, The 519 will again provide workshop space for a process-driven project, supporting the delivery of knowledge and skill-sharing serving the LGBTQ2S community in Toronto and beyond.

Akin Collective is a Toronto-based arts organization that provides affordable studio space as well as arts-based programming through its sister non-profit organization, Akin Projects. Akin provides space to nearly 250 visual artists, designers, and creatives in studios that maintain a friendly and inspiring atmosphere where people can work on creative endeavors and entrepreneurial undertakings of all kinds. Akin builds community through monthly art critiques, free or low-cost workshops, open studio events, gallery tours, exhibitions, as well as various other projects. During the Community Arts Space’s inaugural 2016 cycle, Akin Projects mounted Place/Setting, an exhibition hall project delivering all-ages clay-making workshops and community events. For Community Arts Space 2018, Akin will provide six months of free studio time at one of its studios, as well as kiln firing access.